---
title: Jericho's Cybersecurity Glossary | Brute Force Attack
description: A brute force attack is one of the oldest and simplest trial-and-error methods used by attackers to guess passwords or encryption keys by systematically trying all possible combinations until the correct one is found.
image: //www.jerichosecurity.com/hubfs/assets/images/jericho-featured-image.jpg
---

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1. [← back to glossary](https://www.jerichosecurity.com/glossary)

# Brute Force Attack

#### *Definition:*

A brute force attack is one of the oldest and simplest trial-and-error methods used by attackers to guess passwords or encryption keys by systematically trying all possible combinations until the correct one is found.

#### *Use Cases:*

- Used by attackers to gain unauthorized access to accounts with weak or commonly used passwords.
- Employed in attempts to crack encrypted data or secure communications.

#### *Related Terms:*

- Password Cracking
- Dictionary Attack
- [Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)](https://www.jerichosecurity.com/glossary/multi-factor-authentication)
- [Account Lockout](https://www.jerichosecurity.com/glossary/account-lockout)

#### *Questions and Answers:*

- **How do brute force attacks work?**Attackers use automated tools to try different combinations of passwords or encryption keys until they successfully gain access to a system or account.
- **What are the best defenses against brute force attacks?**Strong, complex passwords, multi-factor authentication, and account lockout policies are effective defenses against brute force attacks. Complexity is most important when defending against brute force attacks.
- **Why are brute force attacks still effective?**Despite advances in security, brute force attacks remain effective against accounts with weak or reused passwords, especially when combined with automated tools. Although Account Lockout methods prevent most brute force attacks from being effective, there remain vulnerable ports or accounts that can be easily hacked via brute force.

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