Security Term

Password Spraying

An attack that attempts a small number of commonly used passwords against a large number of accounts to avoid triggering account lockout mechanisms.

What is Password Spraying?

Unlike brute force attacks that target a single account with many passwords, password spraying tries one or a few passwords across many accounts. This evades lockout thresholds while still exploiting weak passwords. Common targets include cloud services, email platforms, and VPN portals.

Understanding this concept is crucial for maintaining a robust security posture. In the context of modern cyber threats, password spraying represents a significant area of focus for security professionals and organizations alike.