What is password spraying?

Malicious hackers often break into user accounts using a method called password spraying. Unlike traditional brute-force attacks, in which one user account is being cracked with thousands of random combinations and words, password spraying relies on trying a single common password such as ‘password’ or ‘12345’ over multiple usernames, or email addresses.

This way, the threat actor evades account lockouts and other security mechanisms that normally come into play after several failed login attempts. Enterprises with many users are targeted for access to sensitive data or even an organization's entire network. Recognizing how password spraying works can help you harden cybersecurity defenses and fend off any potential password spraying risks.

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How does password spraying work?

Password spraying is a form of dictionary attack that targets weak passwords while evading detection. Instead of making guesses on a single account, malicious hackers attempt to log into many accounts using just one or two password guesses. Because of that, password spraying evades protective measures that would cause alerts after repeated attempts to log in.

Cybercriminals start by collecting usernames or email addresses, typically aggregated through data breaches, phishing campaigns, or social media networks. They try to log in using commonly employed passwords like ‘password’, ‘123456’, or ‘iloveyou’. This testing of a couple of passwords across many accounts makes it far less likely to cause a security alert.

How to recognize a password spraying attack

Password spraying attacks are difficult to detect, which poses a serious threat to both individuals and organizations. However, there are a few signs that can help recognize a password spraying attack:

• Failed login attempts across various accounts. In contrast to brute force attacks, where one account is targeted, password spraying always entails failed login attempts of multiple accounts. Look out for failed logins.
• Unusual access point. These login attempts come from different geographic areas because cybercriminals choose to use proxies or a VPN for disguise. Keep an eye on the location of login attempts to detect password spraying.
• Numerous logins within a short time. Abnormal bursts of login attempts within a short period of time, particularly happening off-hours, could be a hint of a mass testing of credentials.
• Logins on dormant or little-used accounts. Old, unused, or scarcely used accounts may be targeted by intruders. Any dormant account with login attempts should be shut down.

Password spraying vs credential stuffing

Password spraying and credential stuffing both refer to cyberattack methods that attempt to gain unauthorized access to an account, but they differ in their execution. In password spraying, the attacker makes few login attempts but on multiple accounts to avoid account lockouts. It relies on the fact that many people tend to select weak or easily guessable passwords, such as ‘password’ or ‘12345’.

On the other hand, credential stuffing only targets stolen usernames and passwords. Cybercriminals try these credentials across many websites and services, hoping that the victim reused the password. Given that many people use the same log in details across multiple accounts, credential stuffing might have a higher success rate than password spraying.

The main difference is that password spraying does not rely on any prior knowledge about particular account credentials; it simply bets on the probability that at least one user inside a given system has a weak password. Credential stuffing, however, uses already verified credentials, hence directly exploiting compromised accounts.

Strong password policies, combined with multi-factor authentication (MFA) and avoiding password reuse, can significantly reduce the risk. Other measures, such as monitoring login activity and the use of a reliable password manager, can also help to protect your accounts.

Password spraying vs brute force attack

The key difference between password spraying and brute force attacks is the number of targeted accounts and login attempts. Password spraying means using a small number of commonly used passwords across a large number of accounts. The attackers can thus avoid security mechanisms and stay undetected.

Brute force attacks are more systematic; if one password fails, it goes on to the next. Rather than attacking multiple accounts with a limited number of easy passwords, a brute force attack continually goes through every possible password combination for one account until it finds the right one. It takes much more time and effort compared to password spraying and carries the risk of account lockout after multiple failed login attempts.

While malicious to the extreme, both methods can be countered by strong password policies, implementation of multi-factor authentication (MFA), and constant monitoring for suspicious activity during login attempts within organizations and by individuals alike. The use of a password manager like NordPass can help generate, store and autofill highly secure passwords.

How to prevent a password spraying attack?

Password spraying attacks exploit weak passwords and the absence of strong security measures in both organizations and individuals. To prevent unauthorized access, the most effective defenses include:

• Strengthen account lockout policies. You should definitely limit the number of failed login attempts that cause temporary account lockout. This will give the malicious hacker only a few shots before risking being detected.
• Encourage strong passwords. Make sure that all passwords include uppercase and lowercase letters, special characters, and numbers. The longer and more complex the password is, the more difficult it will be to crack.
• Monitor login activities. You should start monitoring failed authentication logs for all accounts and be suspicious of unusual authentication requests. This will help you to identify possible attacks in the present.
• Use multi-factor authentication (MFA). Even if an attacker correctly guesses the password, MFA can prevent them from accessing the account. A second factor of authentication through a phone number or email address, for example, adds another valuable layer of security.
• Use a password manager. Password managers are software that helps generate and store unique and highly secure passwords for many accounts. They offer extra security to your accounts and reduce the risk of possible cyberattacks. One popular password manager is NordPass.
• Train your employees on the best cybersecurity practices. Cybersecurity training is essential to ensure that the staff is better equipped to recognize phishing attacks, password spraying, or brute-force attacks.

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Final word on password spraying

Password spraying is a method of attacking user accounts by trying commonly-used passwords to gain unauthorized access. Few attempts are made among multiple accounts, making it harder to detect and block it. Companies can defend against this type of attack by implementing MFA and enforcing strong password policies. Also monitoring login activities works well against a password spraying attack.

Another good strategy would be to use a trustworthy password manager, like NordPass, which helps to generate strong, unique passwords and securely stores and autofills them. Finally, learning about the latest tricks in cybercrime will definitely lead to better security practices and minimize the success of password spraying attacks.

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