Brute Force Attack

Brute force is a method where attackers try all possible passwords until the right one is found. It doesn’t exploit software flaws but relies on trial-and-error testing. The attack may use common wordlists (dictionary) or full character sets. Though slow, weak passwords can be cracked quickly with powerful systems.

Types of Brute Force Attacks:

Here are some of the types of brute-force attacks

• Dictionary Attacks: Attempts to guess usernames or passwords by using a predefined dictionary of likely words or phrases
• Rainbow Table Attacks: A Rainbow Table is a precomputed database used to reverse cryptographic hash functions. It helps quickly find the original input from a hash, but only works for inputs up to a certain length and within a limited character set.
• Reverse Brute Force Attack: It utilizes a typical password or a collection of passwords against numerous conceivable usernames. Focuses on a network of clients for which the attackers have recently acquired information.
• Hybrid Brute Force Attacks: It begins from outer rationale to figure out which password variety might be destined to succeed, and next proceeds with the simple way to deal with attempt numerous potential varieties.
• Simple Brute Force Attack: Utilizes an efficient way to deal with 'surmise' that doesn't depend on outside reasoning.

Brute Force Working

Here is the step-by-step process of how a brute force attack is done by attackers:

• Attacker selects a target account, service, or encrypted file.
• Attacker gathers clues about the possible password, like username (admin, user1)
• An attacker chooses an Online brute-force method to directly try passwords on the login page, SSH, RDP, etc.
• Select Tools & Wordlists like John the Ripper, Hashcat, Hydra, Medusa, and Aircrack-ng.
• The tool starts generating passwords systematically and sends each password systematically
• If the guess matches, the password is revealed. And if not, the tool continues with the next combination.
• Once cracked, the attacker logs in or decrypts the file.

How to Prevent Brute Force Password Hacking?

To protect your organization from brute force password hacking, enforce the use of strong passwords.

Passwords should:

• Never use information that can be found online (like names of family members).
• Have as many characters as possible.
• Combine letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Avoid common patterns.
• Be different for each user account.
• Change your password periodically
• Use a strong and long password
• Use multifactor authentication