> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/account-probing.md).

# Account probing

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                               |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                             |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                             |
| Test Period          | 1 Hour                                              |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                               |
| Required Data        | XDR Agent                                           |
| Detection Modules    | Identity Analytics                                  |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Initial Access (TA0001), Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Valid Accounts (T1078), Brute Force (T1110)         |
| Severity             | Low                                                 |

### Description

A user failed to log in to multiple hosts it never accessed before in a short amount of time. This may indicate the account is compromised and an attacker is probing for a host it can access with those credentials.

### Attacker's Goals

Gain access to hosts by using stolen user-account credentials.

### Investigative actions

Check if the user account was compromised, and which resources it could access.


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