What is a Brute Force Attack?
A brute force attack is a type of cyber attack where a malicious actor attempts to gain access to a system or data by trying every possible combination of characters or keys until they find the correct one.
This type of attack is often used by hackers when they have obtained a list of usernames and/or passwords but don’t know which combination of these to use to gain access to the desired account.
A brute force attack can be a very time-consuming process, but the attacker will eventually find the correct combination if they keep trying long enough. This is why it’s important to use strong passwords that are not easily guessed and to never reuse passwords across different accounts. If you think you may be under attack, you can try to thwart the attacker by changing your passwords frequently and using two-factor authentication.
Let’s look at the various types of brute force attacks used by hackers to achieve the best results.
Types of brute force attacks
Dictionary Attack -
A dictionary attack is a type of brute force attack that tries to guess passwords by cycling through a list of words from a dictionary. These attacks are often successful because many people choose passwords that are easy to remember, but also easy to guess.
To prevent a dictionary attack from being successful, it’s important to choose a strong password that is not easy to guess. A strong password should be long (at least 8 characters), and should include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Hybrid Brute Force Attacks
A hybrid brute force attack is a type of brute force attack that uses a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols to generate a large number of possible passwords. This type of attack is often used by hackers because it is effective at cracking long and complex passwords.
To carry out a hybrid brute force attack, the hacker will first create a list of all possible passwords. This list can be created by using a word list, which is a list of common words, or by using a character set, which is a list of all possible characters that can be used in a password. The hacker will then use a program to try all of the passwords on the list until the correct password is found.
Reverse Brute Force Attacks
Reverse brute force attacks are less common than brute force attacks, but they can be just as dangerous. If the attacker is able to guess the username or other identifying information for a system, they can then use that information to gain access to the system. This type of attack can be very difficult to prevent, so it is important to be aware of the risks.
Credential Stuffing
Credential stuffing is a type of brute force attack in which hackers use stolen credentials to gain access to accounts. This can be done by using a list of known usernames and passwords, or by using a list of email addresses and passwords. Once the hacker has access to an account, they can use it to spam or scam people, or to steal sensitive information.
Credential stuffing is a serious problem, and it’s only getting worse as more and more data breaches occur. If you have an account, it’s important to make sure that your password is strong and unique. And if you receive an email from someone you don’t know, be careful before clicking any links.
Password Spraying
Password spraying is a type of brute force attack in which a hacker attempts to gain access to a user account by trying a large number of different passwords. This method is often used to target high-profile accounts, such as those of CEOs or other executives.
Password spraying is a relatively new form of attack, but it has already proven to be quite effective. In 2017, a password spraying attack was used to hack into the email accounts of over 100 employees of the U.S. Department of State. The attackers were able to gain access to sensitive information, such as emails and contact lists.
Password spraying is a serious security threat, and companies should take steps to protect themselves from this type of attack. One way to do this is to implement a strong password policy, which can help to prevent hackers from guessing passwords.
How to Prevent Brute-Force Attacks
- Use CAPTCHAs. (Secure your login page with a captcha)
- Use Unique Login URLs
- Make sure your passwords are strong and unique
- Limit the number of failed login attempts
- Install a security plugin
- Use two-factor authentication
- Keep your software up-to-date
- Block suspicious IP addresses
- Use Web Application Firewalls (WAFs)
- Monitor server logs
- Adopt Network Security and Threat Detection Tools
Conclusion
It is crucial to educate your staff on the importance of password strength and good information security habits. Even if you have a strong password, employees can fall prey to insider threats if security is not a priority in your workplace culture.
Sattrix is an advance cyber security and Managed Services company. Ready to take the next step? Request a Demo to learn how Sattrix detects attacks and prevents them.
