Final answer:
A brute force attack uses powerful computing to attempt numerous password combinations quickly in order to access a system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of attack that involves an attacker using a powerful computer to try a large number of possible passwords in rapid succession to gain access to a system is known as a brute force attack. Unlike other methods such as phishing or pretexting, which rely on social engineering to trick users into giving up their credentials, brute force attacks are a direct assault on the password authentication mechanism. A brute force attack uses automated software to generate a large number of consecutive guesses in hopes of eventually hitting the correct combination.