With cyber threats, not all warning signs are created equal. Some red flags come in the form of a quiet, repeated log event, like Event ID 4625. This Failed Logon Attempt is one of those subtle signals that something could be amiss in your environment.
Let’s look closer at what this could mean.
Event ID 4625 is a Windows Security log entry that happens whenever a user tries (and fails) to log on to a Windows system. This event can happen for lots of reasons: maybe someone mistyped their password, or an employee left the company and their old credentials are being tested. Or it could be something a lot more malicious—like cybercriminals trying to brute-force their way into your network.
This event is recorded in the Windows Event Viewer under the Security category. Each failed logon attempt logged as Event ID 4625 gives you details like the username, domain, and sometimes the source IP address of the machine that attempted to authenticate.
With these details, your IT or security team can start piecing together the story behind the failure: was it a simple mistake or a sign of something more nefarious?
On the surface, a failed logon attempt just means that someone tried (and failed) to access a system. We’ve all forgotten a password at some point, so an occasional failed attempt is completely normal. But when Event ID 4625 starts appearing frequently, it’s time to pay more attention.
Repeated failed logon attempts could mean:
Failed logon events are more than just annoying noise in your logs—they can mean a threat actor is trying to get into your environment.
Here’s what you need to know about:
If you see an Event ID 4625 entry, don’t panic. But consider these factors:
These questions can help explain whether you’re dealing with a real threat or user error.
Good (cyber) hygiene goes a long way. You can reduce the risk associated with failed logon attempts by implementing the following best practices:
Monitoring and interpreting every instance of Event ID 4625 can take a lot of time, especially if you’re juggling other tasks and responsibilities.
Huntress managed security solutions give you continuous monitoring and expert analysis of security logs, including failed logon attempts. With Huntress Managed SIEM and Managed EDR, you get visibility into suspicious activities without having to become a security expert overnight. We filter the noise, highlight the threats that matter, and guide you through the steps to make it right.
No need to hire a full-time SOC team or invest in expensive infrastructure—Huntress brings enterprise-level protection down to earth for small and medium-sized businesses. Instead of sifting through Event ID 4625 logs (or those for Event IDs like 4626 or 4720), let our experts handle it. We’ll make sure those pesky failed logon attempts don’t become a real-life security nightmare.
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