Passwords are an easy and efficient way to secure data and IT systems from unauthorized access when used appropriately. Many people, however, continue to use passwords in ways that put them at risk, and IT policies don’t always improve overall user behavior.
One of the most common forms of corporate and personal security breaches is password attacks. When a hacker attempts to steal your password, this is known as a password attack. Compromise credentials are responsible for 81 percent of data breaches in 2020. Passwords are becoming less secure because they can only contain so many letters and numbers. Since hackers are aware that many passwords are badly crafted, password attacks can continue to be used as long as passwords are used.
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What are Password Attacks?
Password attacks are just that: a third party attempting to acquire access to your systems by unlocking a user’s password.
This form of attack typically does not require the installation of any malicious code or programs on the device. Attackers may use software and try to break your password, but this software is usually installed on their own computer.
To gain access to accounts, programs use a variety of techniques, including brute force attacks to guess passwords and matching different word combinations against a dictionary list.
5 Types of Password Attacks and How To Prevent Them?
Phishing
Phishing occurs when a hacker poses as a trustworthy party and sends you a fake email in the hopes that you will willingly disclose your personal details. They will take you to a fake “Reset your password” page, or they may download malicious code to your computer.
Follow these measures to stop phishing attacks:
- Examine the sender of the email: Examine From the line of each email to make sure the person they claim to befits the email address you anticipate.
- Double-check the source: If in doubt, contact the individual who sent the email to confirm that they were the one who sent it.
- Consult the IT department: Your company’s IT department will usually inform you if an email that you received is legit or not.
Man-in-the-middle attack
Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks occur when a hacker or compromised device sits between two uncorrupted entities or systems and decodes the information they’re exchanging, including passwords. If Alice and Bob are exchanging notes in class and Jeremy is responsible for transferring those notes, Jeremy has the opportunity to play the role of the man in the middle. Equifax pulled its apps from the App Store and Google Play store in 2017 because they were sending confidential data over unreliable networks, allowing hackers to steal consumer data.
To prevent man-in-the-middle attacks, implement the following measures:
- Encryption should be enabled on your router: If someone on the street has access to your modem and router, they can use “sniffer” technology to see the data that passes through it.
- Use two-factor authentication and strong credentials: The default username and password for several routers are never updated. If a hacker gains access to your router’s admin panel, they can redirect all of your traffic to their compromised servers.
- Using a virtual private network (VPN): By ensuring that all of the servers to which you send data are trusted, a protected virtual private network (VPN) can help avoid man-in-the-middle attacks.
Brute force attack
A brute force attack is a thrashing ram if a password is an equivalent of using a key to open a lock. In 22 seconds, a hacker will try 2.18 trillion passwords/username combinations, and if your password is easy, your account can be targeted.
To help hinder brute force attacks, implement the following measures:
- Use a password that is difficult to guess: An all-lowercase, all-alphabetic, six-digit password is vastly different from a mixed case, mixed-character, ten-digit password. The possibility of an effective brute force attack decreases as the strength of your password increases.
- Modify and allow remote access: If your organization uses remote access control, inquire with your IT department. A chance of a brute-force attack can be reduced by using an access control tool.
- Multi-factor authentication should be needed: If your account has multi-factor authentication (MFA), a possible hacker can only gain access to your account by sending a request to your second factor. Since hackers are unlikely to have access to your mobile device or thumbprint, they would be unable to access your account.
Dictionary attack
Dictionary attacks, a form of brute force attack, depend on our habit of using “simple” terms as passwords, the most typical of which hackers have compiled into “cracking dictionaries.” Dictionary attacks that are more sophisticated include terms that are unique to you, such as your birthplace, child’s name, or pet’s name.
To help avoid a dictionary attack, do the following:
- Never use a password that is a dictionary word: It should never be part of your password if you’ve read it in a novel. Try using a password management system instead of a password if you must use a password instead of an access management tool.
- After a certain number of password errors, accounts are locked: When you forget your password, it can be annoying to be locked out of your account, but the alternative is always account insecurity. Before your application tells you to calm down, give yourself five or fewer tries.
- Invest in a password manager if you don’t already have one: Password managers create complicated passwords for you, which helps you avoid dictionary attacks.
Credential Stuffing
If you’ve ever been hacked, you’re well aware that your old passwords were most likely leaked into a shady website. Credential stuffing exploits accounts that have never had their passwords updated after a break-in. Hackers will try a variety of previous usernames and passwords in the hopes that the victim hasn’t changed them.
To help avoid credential stuffing, follow these steps:
- Keep an eye on your accounts: You can pay for services that track your online identities, but you can also use free services to see if your email address has been linked to any recent data breaches.
- Use a password manager to keep track of your passwords: Many credential stuffing attacks, including dictionary attacks, can be avoided by using a strong and stable password. A password manager will help you keep track of them.
Protecting Against Password Attacks
The easiest way to prevent a password attack is to avoid it altogether. Inquire with your IT professional about establishing a common security policy that includes:
- Multi-Factor Authentication: Authenticating users with a physical token or a personal computer (such as a smartphone) means that passwords aren’t the only way through.
- Remote access: Individual websites are no longer the source of user confidence when using a smart remote access platform
- Biometrics: It would be extremely difficult for a malicious actor to mimic your fingerprint or facial form.