FBI Warns: Disable Local Admin Accounts or Risk Cyberattacks

The FBI has issued a new warning urging businesses to disable local administrator accounts, citing an increase in cyberattacks that exploit these privileges.

According to Forbes, attackers are using compromised local admin credentials to infiltrate networks, deploy malware, and escalate their attacks.

While disabling local admin accounts is a critical security measure, it is not a silver bullet. Cybercriminals continually adapt, using stolen credentials, zero-day exploits, and other advanced tactics to bypass traditional defenses. This underscores the urgent need for businesses to adopt a more proactive cybersecurity approach—one that shifts from a reactive “Detect and Respond” model to an “Isolation and Containment” strategy.

The Growing Threat of Local Admin Exploits

Local admin accounts provide cybercriminals with a dangerous level of access. Once attackers gain control, they can:

Disable security tools to avoid detection.
Install malware that spreads across the network.
Exfiltrate sensitive data for ransom or sale.
Create backdoors for persistent access.

Traditional endpoint protection relies on detecting threats after they’ve already infiltrated the system. But as seen in numerous ransomware and nation-state attacks, this reactive approach often fails—especially against sophisticated adversaries using stolen credentials or novel attack techniques.

Why "Isolation and Containment" is the Future of Cybersecurity

AppGuard takes a fundamentally different approach by preventing malware from executing in the first place, even if attackers gain access to a system. Here’s how it works:

Blocks unauthorized processes from executing—even if malware bypasses detection.
Prevents privilege escalation by ensuring system-level actions cannot be hijacked.
Stops lateral movement within the network, containing threats before they spread.

Unlike traditional “Detect and Respond” solutions, which only act once a threat is identified (often too late), AppGuard operates at the kernel level to prevent execution of malicious actions—effectively neutralizing threats before they can cause damage.

The Business Case for AppGuard

With cybercriminals exploiting local admin privileges at an increasing rate, businesses must take proactive steps to secure their networks. Disabling local admin accounts is a good start, but it’s not enough. Without true prevention, attackers will continue finding new ways to bypass security measures.

AppGuard has a 10-year track record of successfully protecting organizations by preventing cyberattacks before they start. Instead of waiting for threats to be detected and responded to—often after significant damage has already occurred—AppGuard ensures that malware, ransomware, and unauthorized processes never execute in the first place.

Business leaders: Don’t wait for a breach to take action. Contact CHIPS today to learn how AppGuard can prevent cyberattacks and protect your organization.

Like this article? Please share it with others!