Most business owners feel pretty confident about their email security. After all, you’ve got a spam filter in place. Your team uses multi-factor authentication. You’ve invested in cybersecurity awareness training. So you’re covered… right? Not quite.
A new type of cyberattack is on the rise, and it’s quietly bypassing many of the traditional protections small and medium businesses rely on. It’s called token theft — and if your IT provider isn’t already talking to you about it, it’s time to ask why.
Let’s break down what token theft is, why it’s so dangerous, and what you can do to stop it before it silently drains your bank account, damages your reputation, or exposes sensitive client data.
What Is Token Theft (And Why Is It So Dangerous)?
Most cloud-based email systems, like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, use access tokens to keep you logged in. These tokens are what allow you to stay signed in even after you close your browser or restart your computer.
Here’s the problem: Hackers have figured out how to steal those tokens — and once they do, they can access your email account without ever needing your username or password. Even multi-factor authentication won’t stop it.
Think of it like this: you check in at a hotel and receive a keycard to your room. Token theft is like someone duplicating that keycard without your knowledge. They don’t need to check in again — they just walk into your room like they belong there
That’s what makes this threat so dangerous. You don’t get a login alert. Nothing looks out of place.
Meanwhile, a cybercriminal is quietly reading your emails, intercepting invoices, and preparing to steal your money — or worse, impersonate your business.
The Real-World Impact on SMBs
This isn’t a “what-if” scenario. Token theft is already happening — and it’s hitting small and medium businesses the hardest.
Why? Because most smaller companies don’t have enterprise-level threat detection in place. Once a hacker gains access to a mailbox, they often sit quietly and watch — learning about your financial workflows, your vendors, and your internal communication patterns.
Then they strike:
A fake invoice is sent at just the right time.
A wire transfer request is forwarded from a “trusted” contact. Sensitive information is exported and used for further attacks.
These aren’t mass email blasts or clumsy scams. They’re well-researched, well-timed, and devastating.
We’ve seen attacks cost businesses from $50,000 to over $1 million. In many cases, the breach wasn’t discovered for weeks.
What Your Email Security Might Be Missing
If your current cybersecurity setup relies on spam filters, basic firewalls, or even standard Microsoft 365 protections, you may be more vulnerable than you think. Here’s why:
- Spam filters don’t catch links that lead to token theft — especially if the email comes from a trusted sender whose account has already been compromised.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) doesn’t protect against token theft - not even a little.
- Standard antivirus tools don’t monitor real-time login activity or detect attacker-in-the-middle behavior such as token theft.
This is why email security today needs to go beyond these traditional defenses.
What You Can Do Right Now
You don’t have to become a cybersecurity expert overnight — but you do need to work with someone who understands this evolving threat landscape. Here are three simple but powerful steps to take:
- Implement Conditional Access to your cloud email systems
- Controls such as allowing login only from trusted or approved devices or locations can help reduce token theft
- Train your team to recognize and ignore or delete Phishing emails
- Implement a solution such as Computerease Sentinel for Microsoft 365 which monitors your tenant 24x7x365 for abnormal logins and token theft and automatically locks a compromised account.
Even the best software can’t stop a well-crafted click. Human awareness is still a key part of your defense.
Staying Ahead of This Threat
At Computerease, we’re working with businesses across the Midwest to lock down email security with modern, real-world solutions — including token theft detection, ongoing employee education, and hands-on IT guidance that makes sense for your business size and goals.
We’re not just here to fix broken tech. We’re your Trusted Technology & Cyber Advisor, focused on long-term protection, smart growth, and peace of mind.
Let’s Make Sure Your Email Isn’t the Weak Link
If you’re not 100% sure your Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace accounts are protected from token theft, let’s talk.
We’ll help you review your current setup and show you exactly where the risks are — and how to fix them. Call us today to get started securing your email — before attackers slip in unnoticed.
