Video Title: How Hackers Steal Passwords: 5 Attack Methods Explained
Channel: IBM Technology
Speakers: One unnamed speaker
Duration: 13:07
Introduction
This IBM Technology video explains five common methods hackers use to steal passwords: guessing, harvesting, cracking, spraying, and stuffing. The video aims to educate viewers on these techniques to help them improve their security practices.
Key Takeaways
Password Guessing: Hackers may try common passwords, use information gleaned about the target, or utilize leaked password databases. Systems often have three-strike lockout policies to mitigate this.
Password Harvesting: This involves using malware (keyloggers) to record keystrokes or tricking users into entering credentials on fake websites (phishing).
Password Cracking: Hackers obtain a database of hashed passwords and try to reverse the hashing using common password lists or brute-force methods.
Password Spraying: A single guessed password is tried across multiple accounts on a single system, exploiting the tendency of users to reuse passwords. This avoids account lockouts from multiple failed attempts.
Credential Stuffing: Similar to spraying, but the guessed password is tried across multiple systems, making detection more difficult.
Prevention: The video recommends password strength testing (length is key), checking against known vulnerable passwords, encouraging the use of password managers, implementing multi-factor authentication, and using passkeys instead of passwords where possible. Rate limiting login attempts helps prevent flooding attacks.
Detection: Monitor for multiple failed login attempts over time (increased failure rate) or across multiple accounts (spraying).
Response: Block suspicious IP addresses, disable compromised accounts, and force password changes.
