Passwords Attacks
Password Attack Overview Password attacks focus on weakening or bypassing authentication by recovering valid credentials from hashes, files, memory, or network workflows. The attacker goal is not just to crack a string, but to turn it into access and prove impact. That is why the process usually mixes offline cracking, remote login checks, and credential harvesting. A clean workflow also documents the source of each credential for reporting. Authentication relies on something you know, have, or are, but in practice passwords are still the most common factor. Users reuse passwords, pick predictable patterns, and store them in unsafe places, which creates opportunities for attackers. Defenders often rely on lockouts and monitoring, but attackers can still use slow, low-noise methods such as spraying. Understanding where passwords live and how they are processed is the key to efficient testing. ...