Learn: Brute-Force Attacks

Welcome!Welcome, Year 11 learner! You've already studied network threats like malware, social engineering, and phishing. Today, we'll build on that foundation by learning about brute-force attacks — what they are and how they work.

What is a Brute-Force Attack?A brute-force attack is a trial-and-error method used by attackers to guess passwords or encryption keys. It involves trying all possible combinations until the correct one is found.While brute-force attacks can take a long time, they can be effective if passwords are weak or poorly secured.

Why Are Brute-Force Attacks a Problem?Brute-force attacks target systems with weak passwords or insufficient security measures. Attackers can use automated tools to speed up the guessing process.This is why strong passwords and security protocols are essential to prevent brute-force attacks.

Automated Tools in Brute-Force AttacksAttackers often use automated tools to speed up brute-force attacks. Tools can test thousands or millions of combinations per second.Systems without rate-limiting or strong authentication are especially vulnerable.

Defending Against Brute-Force AttacksTo protect against brute-force attacks, systems use techniques like:Rate-limiting: limiting the number of attempts per second.Lock-outs: temporarily locking accounts after too many failed attempts.Strong passwords: using long, complex combinations that are harder to guess.

Review Time!Great work! You've learned what brute-force attacks are, why they're a problem, and how to defend against them. Let’s test your understanding with a few questions.