> 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/short-lived-user-account.md).
# Short-lived user account
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | 1 Hour |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Hour |
| Required Data | Requires one of the following data sources:
Windows Event Collector OR XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH)
|
| Detection Modules | Identity Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078) |
| Severity | Low |
### Description
A user was created and deleted within a short period of time.
### Attacker's Goals
Evasion using a valid account.
### Investigative actions
* Check the user who created the account and verify the activity.
* Confirm that the account creation was not accidental.
### Variations
Abnormal short-lived user account
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------ |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A user was observed creating and deleting an account a short time later. This user does not regularly create and delete accounts.
**Attacker's Goals**
Evasion using a valid account.
**Investigative actions**
* Check the user who created the account and verify the activity.
* Confirm that the account creation was not accidental.
Short-lived hidden user account
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------ |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
A user was created with a name that mimics a machine account and later deleted within a short period of time. This may be an attacker's attempt to evade detection.
**Attacker's Goals**
Evasion using a valid account.
**Investigative actions**
* Check the user who created the account and verify the activity.
* Confirm that the account creation was not accidental.
---
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