Hackers may also try what is referred to as a rainbow table attack which requires hacking the actual encrypted passwords within a database. These can be quite sophisticated in that emails can closely mimic the emails for service providers in language and logo. In a phishing attack, hackers masquerade as a legitimate service or application and simply request the user’s password via an email. Phishing attacks are perhaps the most well known password “hacking” method.

This effort takes commonly used passwords ( keep an eye out for these password offenders) and attempts to access as many accounts as possible with those simple and easy passwords. Password spraying is also considered a brute force attack in that it pounds a system with attempts to access accounts. Similar to this is what is referred to as a “dictionary attack” which is a similar method though attempts utilize frequently used words rather than letter by letter combinations. As with other methods, the easier the password, the easier this becomes, particularly if the hacker has access to employee personal data. Common Types of Password Hackingįirst, password hackers can utilize the “brute force” method which enables them to enter password combinations, letter by letter or number, until they are successful. While some hackers can use fairly simple methods, like guessing based on common password combinations, other methods take a bit more work, but also tend to take advantage of user carelessness (though arguably weak passwords are a user issue as well). There are, in fact, multiple ways that those with malicious intent can gain access to your system by cracking a user password. Password hacking isn’t that simple in terms of isolating the methods used to hack a password. While strategies exist to circumvent authentication, as we saw with the Solarwinds supply chain attack, insufficient attention and poor controls over password protocols, including focuses on performative tactics result in a vulnerability that can easily be diminished.

In short, a variety of methods to hijack your users’ passwords present the easiest way into your system with minimal detection. 5 Tips for Improving Password Security in Your Organization.As attacks escalate and adapt, it’s time to look at what is perhaps our greatest vulnerability, password security. While we think we’re utilizing security best practices, those have evolved, as have malicious hacking tactics. While we’re all laughing at jokes like this, some of our very standard password practices are not that far off. There’s a well-known scene in Spaceballs where the king reveals his password to be 1-2-3-4.

User password hacking