Question

Hybrid attack (password) - 2 characteristics

Options:
A. Combines both brute force and dictionary attack methods
B. Is a slow and inefficient method
C. Targets weak passwords
D. Is the most common type of attack

Answer 1

A hybrid attack in the context of password cracking combines both brute force and dictionary attack methods to crack passwords efficiently, specifically targeting weak passwords based on common words or simple patterns.

Step-by-step explanation:

A hybrid attack is a method used in password cracking that employs a combination of techniques to break into accounts or systems. Here are the characteristics of a hybrid attack:

• Combines both brute force and dictionary attack methods: It starts with a dictionary attack, using a predefined list of words that could be passwords. The attack then switches to brute force, attempting variations of the dictionary words by adding numbers, symbols, or changing character cases.
• Targets weak passwords: By leveraging both dictionary words and common variations, a hybrid attack often targets and successfully cracks weak passwords that are based on common words or simple patterns.

It's important to note that while a hybrid attack could be seen as slow compared to simple dictionary attacks, it's actually more efficient than pure brute force attacks because it starts with likely words before trying random combinations.