Key Takeaways
- Brute Force is an automated trial-and-error method to guess passwords.
- Hackers use "Dictionary Attacks" using lists of common words.
- Short passwords (abc123) are cracked in microseconds.
- 2FA and Account Lockouts are the best defense.
Imagine a thief with a magical ring of keys that has every possible key shape on it. He tries one after another at lightning speed. Eventually, he gets in.
How It Works
Computers are fast. A modern GPU (graphics card) can calculate billions of password hashes per second. If an attacker gets a hold of a password database (from a leak), they don't guess manually—they run a script.
Types of Brute Force:
- Simple Brute Force: Trying aaaaaa, aaaaab, aaaaac...
- Dictionary Attack: Trying words from a list: "password", "admin", "dragon", "123456".
- Credential Stuffing: Using passwords stolen from ONE site (like LinkedIn) to try and log into ANOTHER site (like Gmail).
The Math of Entropy
A 7-character password takes minutes to crack. A 12-character password with symbols? Centuries. Length is the most important factor in password security.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does changing 'o' to '0' help?
Not really. Hackers know these "Leetspeak" substitutions (P@ssw0rd). It barely slows them down. Focus on length and randomness instead.
What is "Salt"?
Salting is when a website adds random data to your password before hashing it. This prevents hackers from using "Rainbow Tables" (pre-computed lists of answer keys) to crack passwords instantly.
Check your password strength.
Read Password Guide