Difference Between Password Spraying and Dictionary Attack

It is vital in cybersecurity to learn how to prevent different types of cyber attacks. Many different mechanisms are used by attackers when targeting user credentials; two of the most common types of attacks are dictionary attacks and password spraying. Both of these try to penetrate a password, but their approaches and situations are quite different.

In this article, we will examine the differences between these two attack methods, and we will also explore how they work and what are the preventive measures.

What is Password Spraying?

One of these attack techniques is called password spraying where an attacker checks a single common password for several usernames instead of entering several different passwords against a single login. For this reason, this type of attack becomes more stealthy as fewer incidents of failed logins will cause an account to be locked.

The key features of password spraying are as follows -

• Highlights the catalyzing impact utilization of the same passwords into numerous accounts.
• Exploits the weak standards for passwords when users create their passwords commonly.
• Specifically concerning online services or organizational systems that house many user accounts.

Take a look at the following example. Let's say an organization has the following usernames:

• user1@example.com
• user2@example.com
• admin@example.com

The attacker tries to break into accounts with the most common password, "Password123". If any of the accounts have used that password, then the attacker gains access. Here's the algorithm -

• Make a list of all usernames.
• Choose any common password like Password123.
• Try the password for all usernames one after the other.
• Keep track of the successful logins.

What is a Dictionary Attack?

In a dictionary attack, several different possible passwords are tried one by one on only one account or target. Thus, the name comes from the use of a "dictionary," or collection of popular passwords such as "123456," "password," or "letmein."

Here's a list of some of the key features of Dictionary Attack -

• Targets on one single or a few accounts with multiple password attempts.
• Uses pre-compiled lists of common passwords or leaked password databases.
• Dictionary attacks are aggressive compared to password spraying and tend to lock out accounts.

Take a look at the following example. The subsequent passwords are tried on the targeted admin@example.com account by a trespasser: 123456, admin123, and Hearty. The attacker shall succeed in compromising the account if any of these matches. Here's the algorithm -

• Select a target account or handle.
• Now open a dictionary of commonly used passwords.
• Try each password one after the other until you either find a match or run out of list entries.

Difference between Password Spraying and Dictionary Attacks

The following table highlights how Password Spraying is different from Dictionary Attacks -

How to Defend against Both These Attacks?

One can take the following preventive measures to defend against Password Spraying and Dictionary Attacks - 

• Implement Secure Password Policy: Make sure that the passwords contain upper and lower case characters, numbers, and special characters.
• Establish lockout account policies: Lockout accounts for some time after exceeding unsuccessful logins.
• Activate Multi-Factor Authentication: The last thing you should do for more security is require a second proof for verifications.
• Track Sign-in Activity: Observe unusual login attempts.

Conclusion

Password spraying is a more subtle form of attack. For example, instead of trying many different passwords on one account, it tries to guess the same password across many accounts. Dictionary attacks, on the other hand, are brute-force attacks that use an exhaustive list of passwords aimed at specific accounts.

Both dictionary attacks and password spraying have the same objective, but they employ different techniques and produce different results. By knowing these different types of attacks, businesses and individuals can better implement strong security measures against such threats.