Password Attacks

Password Attacks

**Key Points**

1. * **Password attacks are a common type of cyberattack.** They can be used to gain access to accounts, systems, and networks.
2. * **There are many different types of password attacks, including brute-force attacks, dictionary attacks, and phishing attacks.**
3. * **Password attacks can be successful if attackers can guess or obtain users' passwords.**
4. * **It is important to take steps to protect against password attacks, such as using strong passwords, changing passwords regularly, and not reusing passwords.**

**Examples**

**Brute-Force Attacks**

• * **Simple Brute-Force:** Tries every possible combination of characters (letters, numbers, symbols) up to a certain length.
• * **Dictionary Attack:** Uses a list of common words, phrases, names, and variations (e.g., appending numbers or special characters) to guess passwords.
• * **Hybrid Attack:** Combines elements of brute-force and dictionary attacks, using both techniques to increase the chances of success.
• * **Rainbow Table Attack:** Pre-computes hashes of common passwords and their corresponding plaintexts, making it faster to crack encrypted passwords.
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**Phishing Attacks**

• Email Phishing: Sending fraudulent emails that appear to be from legitimate sources, luring users to click on malicious links or attachments that harvest credentials.
• Spear Phishing: Tailored phishing attacks targeting specific individuals or organizations with personalized information.
• Vishing: Phishing attacks conducted over the phone, often using social engineering techniques to trick victims into revealing sensitive information.
• Smishing: Phishing attacks delivered via SMS text messages.
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**Credential Stuffing**

• * Reusing stolen usernames and passwords from one website or service to try to gain access to other accounts.
• * Often automated using bots to target large numbers of accounts.
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• **Keylogging**
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• * Malware that records every keystroke on a compromised device, capturing passwords, usernames, and other sensitive information.

Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks

• * Intercepting communication between a user and a legitimate website or service to capture passwords and other data.
• * Often achieved through phishing emails or compromised Wi-Fi networks.
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• **Other Attacks**
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• * **Password Spraying:** Guessing common passwords against multiple user accounts.
• * **SQL Injection:** Exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications to execute malicious SQL commands that can retrieve or modify data, including passwords.
• * **Cookie Theft:** Stealing cookies from a user's browser that contain session information or authentication tokens, allowing attackers to bypass login requirements.
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• **Additional Considerations**
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• * **Social Engineering:** Manipulating users into revealing their passwords or other sensitive information through various tactics, such as impersonation or creating a sense of urgency.
• * **Weak Password Policies:** Organizations with lax password requirements (e.g., allowing short or easily guessable passwords) are more vulnerable to password attacks.
• * **Lack of Security Awareness:** Users who are unaware of common security practices and threats are more likely to fall victim to password attacks.