What is password spraying? Learn the best protection strategies

Nobody is protected from a hacker trying to access the account. For this reason, the websites take some preventative measures to block these attempts. One of the most common methods is to lock out the login after three to five unsuccessful tries.

However, that does not protect from all the attacks that involve password guessing. One of them is a password spraying attack.

Learn what it is and how to protect yourself from it.

What is password spraying? How does this attack work?

Password spraying attack is a type of brute-force attack that involves guessing passwords.

In a traditional brute-force attack, the cybercriminal focuses on gaining access to a single account in a short duration. For instance, the criminal might try to access your email account by entering the most common passwords in a row. If the system is programmed securely, it should automatically lock the perpetrator out after a few failed guesses.

The password spraying attack is different in its method. A cybercriminal “sprays” one password across multiple accounts. By doing this, the hacker might circumvent the installed countermeasures. The attacker switches to another password only after trying out the first one on all the accounts. This eventually prolongs the period between each login attempt – some lock-out security features might not work.

Undoubtedly, the method of password spraying attack has substantial benefits. A big target audience corresponds to an increased chance of success; the prolonged timing gives more guesses to unlock the account.

How likely is the success?

Unfortunately, the trend of using vulnerable, easy-to-guess passwords is still here. The reason behind 81% of successful cyber attacks boils down to weak passwords. In 2021, the 5 most popular passwords were:

1. 123456
2. 123456789
3. qwerty
4. password
5. 12345

If you have at least one account with one of these passwords, it might not survive the next password spraying attack. Go and change it now.

But these are not the only passwords that might end up in the hacker’s to-try basket.

Statistics suggest some other face-palm worth trends:

• 7 million people use a password: Eva or Alex;
• over 5 million people use ice;
• over 1 million people – summer.

Any password made out of a common word, name, or sequence can be a great tool in a password spraying attack. By using a weak password, you assist the attacker.

What is at risk?

A successful password spraying attack opens a critical risk for any individual or business. Having broken into a sensitive account, the attacker can access, collect and steal other sensitive data such as:

• Financial records, bank account access;
• Personal information;
• Internal business network;
• The susceptible company, strategical, or product information;
• Other confidential data;
• Other login details.

Therefore, even a single compromised account can cause professional damage or even jeopardize an entire business network.

Learn to detect and prevent them.

Two-factor Authentication

One of the easiest and secure ways to detect (and protect from) a password spraying attack is using Two-factor authentication.

Whenever a hacker enters correct login details, he will still need to approve login from another device. This way, even after guessing the password, a hacker will not access your account.

Monitor logins

Make sure your IT staff is monitoring and blocking continuously wrong inputs and failed logins. Maybe one incorrect login can be classified as an employees’ mistake, but a few or tens in a row is a red flag.

Crucial: do not use weak passwords

The best preventative measure that you can take today is to update all weak passwords to strong ones. Store them in an encrypted place and never reuse a password on multiple accounts.

Of course, it is impossible to remember 100+ complex passwords. For this reason, experience the added benefits of using a password manager. This tool helps you to create random complex passwords and store them in a secure vault.

Use preventative measures to protect yourself from password spraying attacks. Take password security into your hands. Start today.