Please wait while we load your page...

PasswordSentry

Latest Version [8.00202205221] Last Updated [May-22-2022]

Home




Dictionary Attack



In cryptanalysis and computer security, a dictionary attack is a technique for defeating a cipher or authentication mechanism by trying to determine its decryption key or passphrase by trying likely possibilities, such as words in a dictionary.

A dictionary attack uses a targeted technique of successively trying all the words in an exhaustive list called a dictionary (from a pre-arranged list of values). In contrast with a brute force attack, where a large proportion key space is searched systematically, a dictionary attack tries only those possibilities which are most likely to succeed, typically derived from a list of words for example a dictionary (hence the phrase dictionary attack). Generally, dictionary attacks succeed because many people have a tendency to choose passwords which are short (7 characters or fewer), single words found in dictionaries or simple, easily predicted variations on words, such as appending a digit. However these are easy to defeat. Adding a single random character in the middle can make dictionary attacks untenable.

Random Security Blog Articles



PasswordSentry :: Security Blog ArticleWhile the entire digital world is plagued by online attacks designed by sophisticated hackers and spammers, there are many attacks that are designed by either the novices or people with comparatively less expertise. There is one such group of attackers … Read More
PasswordSentry :: Security Blog ArticleRussian President Vladimir Putin walks through a hall in the building housing Russia’s GRU military intelligence service. Dmitry Astakhov, Sputnik, Government Pool Photo via AP Maggie Smith, United States Military Academy West Point The build up of Russian forces … Read More
PasswordSentry :: Security Blog ArticleShutterstock Ritesh Chugh, CQUniversity Australia With nearly 84% of the world’s population now owning a smartphone, and our dependence on them growing all the time, these devices have become an attractive avenue for scammers. Last year, cyber security company … Read More


Live Chat Offline