What is Dictionary Attack?
Dictionary attacks use lists of common words and phrases to guess passwords. They’re a brute-force password cracking technique. The attacker tries many possibilities from a “dictionary” list. Like “password@123”, “let me in”, and “123456”. Suppose an attacker wants user email access. They’ll compile a dictionary of popular passwords, then try logging in.
Dictionary attacks employ brute-force attempts at guessing passwords through commonly used word/phrase combinations. If trying to breach someone’s email, the attacker assembles a list containing typical easy passwords. Then systematically tries each entry until successful access.
Working on Dictionary Attack
- The attacker acquires a dictionary file containing a vast number of words, phrases, and potential password combinations. These can be downloaded online or created using password-generation tools.
- An automated program feeds these entries one by one into the login system, mimicking the process of trying different passwords.
- If a dictionary entry coincides with the actual password, the attacker gains access to the account. If none of the entries in the dictionary match, the attack fails.
In a Dictionary attack, the attacker tries a list of passwords (dictionary) against a single user account, if the attacker does not succeed, then the attacker might change the user and then apply all the passwords to that user account just like above.
Difference Between Password Spraying and Dictionary Attack
Cybercriminals can attack systems through password spraying or dictionary attacks, but they also do so in different ways. Password spraying attempts to break into multiple accounts using a few common passwords, while dictionary attacks use a list of many possible passwords against a single account. The attacker aims to find accounts with weak passwords, thus avoiding detection from account lockout mechanisms. But a dictionary attack involves trying every word in a predetermined list (the “dictionary”) as a password for one or more user accounts. This method is more exhaustive and systematic compared to password spraying.
Both techniques aim to control weak or commonly used passwords to gain unauthorized access. Yet password spraying is less likely to trigger account lockouts and can be effective against organizations with loose password policies. On the other hand, a dictionary attack requires more computational resources but can potentially uncover stronger passwords that may not be included in common password lists.
To defend against these attacks, organizations should implement the following:
- Strong password policies
- Encourage the use of multi-factor authentication
- Regularly update systems
- Employ security measures like account lockout policies and intrusion detection systems
Now, let’s understand each in detail, and then conclude how they both are different from each other: