Brute force attacks
In the realm of computers, a brute force attack is a hacking technique that employs trial and error to gain unauthorized access. Although it may seem straightforward, it remains a dependable method for infiltrating online data and accounts. The hacker utilizes a computer to programmatically iterate through various combinations of usernames and passwords until they successfully identify the correct login credentials. The term “brute force” originates from the attackers’ use of excessively forceful techniques, which are categorized into five general types.
Simple brute force attacks occur when an attacker attempts to guess a user’s login credentials without using any software. This is typically done by using common passwords or personal identification number (PIN) codes.
Dictionary attacks are a hacking technique, that involves targeting an individual to test potential passwords. Although not technically a brute force method, it significantly contributes to the malicious actor’s password-cracking process. This type of attack involves cycling through dictionaries and modifying words with special characters and numbers, which makes it a time-consuming and low-probability operation.
Hybrid attacks involve combining dictionary and simple brute force methods. The hacker knows the username and attempts to discover the login combination by using both attack types. They start with a list of potential words, such as pet names or favorite sports teams, and append “123” or other character combinations.
Reverse attacks occur when attackers begin with a known password, usually discovered through a network breach. They then use that password to search for a matching login credential using a list of millions of usernames. Alternatively, attackers may start using commonly used weak passwords like “Password123” to search through a database of usernames for a match.
Credential stuffing exploits users’ weak password practices. Attackers gather stolen username and password combinations, which they then test on other websites to gain access to additional user accounts. This tactic is effective when individuals use the same username and password combination or reuse passwords across multiple accounts and social media profiles.
Have you ever experienced a “come-to” moment when you break free from your own negative thought patterns? You realize you’ve been trapped in a mental hamster wheel of destructive thinking, ranging from past mistakes and current failures to depression, anxiety, and ominous forebodings. You were experiencing a sense of unease and a vague threatening feeling in the air, as if something bad is about to happen.
This “breaking out” is incredibly powerful because, instead of being confined within your thoughts, you now stand outside of them from a higher vantage point, enabling you to observe them for their true nature. In many cases, your thinking may have been influenced by a spiritual hacker, also known as Satan, who seeks to gain access to your mind and life. Just as a computer hacker aims to infiltrate your bank account using brute force methods to drain all your funds, Satan desires to gain access to your mind by cycling through thought after thought, searching for one that “hits the right spot” so he can steal your peace and joy.
Begin each day with prayer, seeking God’s guidance to identify and break free from spiritually unnourishing thought patterns. Pray for an alarm to “awaken” your mind when it’s under attack, and express gratitude when God exposes these attempts at spiritual hacking. Trust in God’s faithfulness, knowing that He will honor your prayer and continue to teach you how to fortify your mental security through prayer and the Word.
