Dictionary attack

Updated: 05/27/2017 by Computer Hope
dictionary attack

A dictionary attack is a password attack that attempts to determine a password by trying words from a predefined list, or dictionary, of likely passwords.

To help prevent brute-force attacks, many systems only allow a user to make a mistake in entering their username or password three or four times. If the user exceeds their allowed attempts, the system either locks them out permanently or for a set time.

Brute-force attack, Dictionary, Security terms