> 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/vpn-login-by-a-dormant-user.md).

# VPN login by a dormant user

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                                                                       |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                                                                     |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                                                                     |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                                                                          |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                                                                                       |
| Required Data        | <p>Requires one of the following data sources:<br>Palo Alto Networks Global Protect OR Third-Party VPNs</p> |
| Detection Modules    | Identity Analytics                                                                                          |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                                                                                    |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Valid Accounts: Domain Accounts (T1078.002)                                                                 |
| Severity             | Informational                                                                                               |

### Description

A dormant user logged on to a VPN service after having been unused for a month or longer. This may indicate the account is misused by an attacker.

### Attacker's Goals

Use a compromised user account which has not been used for a long while, and therefore is less likely to be noticed.

### Investigative actions

* Confirm that the activity is benign (e.g. the user returned from a long leave of absence).
* See whether there are other abnormal actions done by the user (e.g. files\commands\other logins).
* Check if the user initiated other logins aside from a VPN login.
* Check whether you have issues with your Cloud Identity Engine failing to sync data from Active Directory.


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