Dictionary Attack

What Is Dictionary Attack?

Dictionary Attack definition and explanation.

A form of brute-force technique where adversaries try to bypass an authentication mechanism by trying dictionary words as passwords until the correct password is found. Dictionary attacks require fewer resources and time as a list of selected dictionary words are used as compared to trying every possible combination until the correct password is identified.

A dictionary attack is a type of brute-force attack, but it uses a predefined list of passwords that would have a higher probability of success.

_{—Deral Heiland, IoT research lead, Rapid7}