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Topic starter 16/08/2025 8:31 pm
Here’s a clear breakdown of what a brute force password attack is and how it works:
💻 What Is a Brute Force Attack?
A brute force attack is a method used by attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems, accounts, or encrypted data by systematically guessing passwords or encryption keys until the correct one is found.
🧠 How It Works
Attackers use software tools or scripts that try every possible combination of characters until they crack the password. Here’s how it typically unfolds:
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Step 1: Target Identification
- The attacker identifies a login page, encrypted file, or system they want to access.
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Step 2: Automated Guessing
- A program starts generating and testing passwords—starting with simple ones like “1234” and moving to more complex combinations.
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Step 3: Success or Failure
- If the correct password is guessed, the attacker gains access.
- If not, the attack continues until it’s stopped or the password is found.
🔑 Types of Brute Force Attacks
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Simple brute force | Tries all possible combinations (e.g., aaa, aab, aac…) |
| Dictionary attack | Uses a list of common passwords or words (e.g., “password”, “qwerty”) |
| Hybrid attack | Combines dictionary words with numbers/symbols (e.g., “password123!”) |
| Credential stuffing | Uses stolen username-password pairs from previous breaches |
| Reverse brute force | Uses a known password and tries it against many usernames |
🛡️ How to Protect Against It
- Use strong, complex passwords (long, with symbols, numbers, and mixed case)
- Enable account lockout policies (e.g., lock account after 5 failed attempts)
- Implement CAPTCHA to block bots
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for an extra layer of security
- Monitor login attempts and set up alerts for suspicious activity
⚠️ Real-World Example
In 2012, LinkedIn suffered a breach where millions of passwords were leaked. Many were weak and easily cracked using brute force and dictionary attacks. This led to widespread credential stuffing across other platforms.
