Common Password Attacks & How to Protect Yourself

 

10 Common Password Attacks & How to Protect Yourself

In today’s digital world, passwords act as the first line of defense against cyber threats. However, hackers have developed various techniques to crack passwords and gain unauthorized access. In this post, we’ll explore 10 common password attacks and how to prevent them.

1. Brute Force Attack

What It Is:

A hacker systematically tries all possible password combinations until the correct one is found.

How to Prevent It:

✅ Use long and complex passwords (at least 12–16 characters).
✅ Enable account lockout policies (e.g., lock account after multiple failed attempts).
✅ Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added security.

2. Dictionary Attack

What It Is:

Hackers use a pre-compiled list of common passwords and words (like "password123" or "qwerty") to guess your password.

How to Prevent It:

✅ Avoid using common words or phrases as passwords.
✅ Use a password manager to generate and store random passwords.
✅ Combine uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.

3. Credential Stuffing

What It Is:

Attackers use stolen username-password pairs (from data breaches) to log in to other accounts.

How to Prevent It:

✅ Never reuse passwords across different accounts.
✅ Use a password manager to keep track of unique passwords.
✅ Enable MFA for all accounts.

4. Phishing Attack

What It Is:

Hackers trick users into entering their passwords on fake websites or through deceptive emails.

How to Prevent It:

✅ Verify URLs before entering login credentials.
✅ Don’t click on suspicious email links or attachments.
✅ Enable email security tools to detect phishing attempts.

5. Keylogger Attack

What It Is:

A keylogger is a malware that secretly records every keystroke you type, including your passwords.

How to Prevent It:

✅ Install antivirus and anti-malware software.
✅ Keep your operating system and software updated.
✅ Use virtual keyboards for sensitive logins.

6. Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attack

What It Is:

Hackers intercept communication between you and a website to steal login credentials.

How to Prevent It:

✅ Avoid logging into accounts on public Wi-Fi without a VPN.
✅ Look for HTTPS in the URL before entering credentials.
✅ Use end-to-end encryption for communications.

7. Rainbow Table Attack

What It Is:

Hackers use precomputed hash values to crack weakly hashed passwords.

How to Prevent It:

✅ Use websites and services that store passwords with strong hashing algorithms (e.g., encrypt, Argon2).
✅ Choose longer passwords, as they take longer to crack.
✅ Implement salting (random data added to passwords before hashing).

8. Shoulder Surfing Attack

What It Is:

A hacker watches you enter your password in public places (e.g., at coffee shops or ATMs).

How to Prevent It:

✅ Be aware of your surroundings while entering passwords.
✅ Use biometric authentication (fingerprint, face ID) where possible.
✅ Shield your keyboard when typing in sensitive information.

9. Password Spraying

What It Is:

Instead of trying many passwords for one user, attackers try several common passwords (like "Welcome123") across many accounts.

How to Prevent It:

✅ Use unique, strong passwords that aren’t common.
✅ Implement account lockout policies after repeated failed logins.
✅ Enable MFA to block unauthorized access.

10. Social Engineering Attack

What It Is:

Hackers manipulate people into revealing passwords by pretending to be IT support, colleagues, or a trusted authority.

How to Prevent It:

✅ Never share passwords over the phone, email, or chat.
✅ Verify the identity of people requesting sensitive information.
✅ Educate employees about social engineering tactics.

Final Thoughts: Stay One Step Ahead of Hackers!

Passwords remain a primary target for cybercriminals, but strong security habits can keep you safe.

🔹 Use long, unique passwords for each account.
🔹 Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
🔹 Keep software updated to protect against vulnerabilities.
🔹 Stay aware of phishing and social engineering scams.

Following these best security practices can protect your accounts and reduce the risk of password-related breaches. 🚀

Need help managing passwords? Consider using a trusted password manager like Bit warden, 1Password, or LastPass.

🔒 Stay safe online! 🔒

 

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