What is a Brute Force Attack:

Brute Force Attack Mitigation are a method of gaining unauthorized access to an account, file, or other protected information by determining a username and password or hashed token combination. A brute force attack is a trial-and-error attack method that works by guessing credentials, file paths, or URLs using logic or by trying all possible keyboard combinations.

Application and scripts are used as Brute force attack tools by some attackers. These tools attempt a variety of password combinations in order to circumvent authentication processes. In other cases, attackers attempt to gain access to web applications by looking for the correct session ID. The motivation of an attacker may include stealing information, infecting websites with malware, or disrupting service.

While some attackers still use brute force attacks by hand, bots now perform almost all brute force attacks. Attackers have lists of commonly used credentials, as well as real user credentials obtained through security breaches or the dark web. Bots attack websites in a systematic manner, testing these lists of credentials and notifying the attacker when they gain access.

Hacker’s motive behind

The hacker’s motivation behind a brute force attack is to gain illegal access to a targeted website and use it to either execute another type of attack, steal valuable data, or simply shut it down. It is also possible that the attacker will infect the targeted site with malicious scripts in order to achieve long-term goals without touching anything and leaving no trace. As a result, it is recommended that you run frequent scans and adhere to best practices to secure your WordPress site.

How Does a Brute Force Attack Appear? Brute force attack example

When it comes to detecting brute force attacks, common sense is essential. Basically, if someone appears to be repeatedly and unsuccessfully attempting to log in to an account, it’s most likely a brute force attack.

Among the warning signs are:

The same IP address attempts to log in multiple times without success.

Many different IP addresses attempt to log in to a single account but fail.

Multiple failed login attempts from different IP addresses in a short period of time.

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Various Types of Brute Force Attacks

A simple brute force attack uses a methodical approach to ‘guessing’ that does not rely on external logic.
Hybrid brute force attacks begin with external logic to determine which password variation is most likely to succeed and then proceed with a simple approach to try as many possible variations as possible.
Dictionary for brute force attack Uses a dictionary of possible strings or phrases to guess usernames or passwords.
Credential stuffing is the practice of using previously known password-username pairs and testing them against multiple websites. It takes advantage of the fact that many users have the same username and password across multiple systems.
Rainbow table attacks use a precomputed table to reverse cryptographic hash functions. It can be used to guess a function with a limited set of characters up to a certain length. A reverse brute force attack employs a common password or set of passwords against a large number of possible usernames. Attacks a network of users about whom the attackers have previously obtained information.

Brute force attack password

Individuals nowadays have numerous accounts and passwords. People frequently use a few simple passwords, leaving them vulnerable to brute force attacks. Additionally, using the same password repeatedly can grant attackers access to multiple accounts.

Email accounts protected by weak passwords can be linked to other accounts and used to recover passwords. As a result, they are particularly valuable to hackers. Furthermore, if users do not change the default router password, their local network is vulnerable to attacks. Attackers can gain access to an entire network by trying a few simple default passwords.

Brute force attack prevention

As an administrator, you can protect users from brute force password cracking by implementing the following measures:

Password Length: Password length should be increased as the first step in preventing Brute Force Attacks. Many websites and platforms now require their users to create a password of a specific length (8 – 16 characters).

Password Complexity: It is also critical to create a complex password. Passwords such as ‘ilovemycountry’ or ‘password123456’ are not recommended; instead, your password should include UPPERCASE and lowercase alphabets, as well as numbers and special characters. The complexity of the password causes the cracking process to take longer.

Captcha: tools such as reCAPTCHA require users to perform simple tasks in order to log into a system. Users can complete these tasks with ease, whereas brute force tools cannot.

Two-factor authentication: allows you to use multiple factors to verify your identity and grant access to accounts.

Limit Login Attempts: A simple yet powerful action is to limit the number of login attempts on your WordPress admin or any other admin panel. For example, if your website receives five failed login attempts, it should block that IP address for a set period of time to prevent further attempts.

Progressive delays—after a number of failed login attempts, you can lockout accounts for a set period of time. Each attempt lengthens the delay.

Brute Force Attack Mitigation

Stop Brute Force Attacks Today

Brute force attacks are completely avoidable. By having a strong password policy, limiting login attempts, enabling two-factor authentication, using CAPTCHAs, and blocking malicious IP addresses, you can keep brute force attacks at bay and drastically improve your data security.

Working with experts, on the other hand, can help you improve network security even further. Receiving ongoing IT support from an MSP means you have people who can help you integrate safe practices, such as using 2FA, and monitor changes in the environment so you’re ready if anything new arises. Using a managed service provider can take the guesswork out of staying secure in an ever-changing cyber threat landscape.

SIEMXPERT can assist you in maintaining the security of your IT environment. As a managed service provider, we’ve assisted businesses in meeting standards so that their networks and infrastructure can remain secure. Contact us today for a free technology assessment to learn how to strengthen your security posture.

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