Understanding Password Spraying
At FSET, we understand that modern cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving—and so must our defenses. One increasingly common tactic used by cybercriminals is password spraying, a stealthy form of brute-force attack that leverages weak or reused passwords to gain unauthorized access across multiple accounts.
Unlike traditional brute-force attacks that bombard a single account with many passwords, password spraying flips the script. It uses a single, commonly-used password across many accounts, thereby skirting common account lockout protections and remaining undetected for longer periods.
Understanding how these attacks operate—and how to prevent them—is key to protecting your business, data, and users.
What Is Password Spraying and How Does It Work?
Password spraying is a methodical brute-force attack that exploits the tendency of users to create weak or easily guessable passwords. It works by selecting a few common passwords (such as “Password123” or “Welcome2024”) and attempting those passwords across a wide set of usernames, often harvested from publicly available directories or previous data breaches.
These attacks are typically automated and deliberately paced to evade traditional security monitoring systems. By avoiding repeated failed login attempts on a single account, attackers fly under the radar, often escaping detection for extended periods.
At FSET, we’ve seen firsthand how attackers tailor their strategies using contextual knowledge—such as company names, department titles, or local events—to craft password guesses that seem plausible to users and hard to detect for systems.
How Is Password Spraying Different from Other Attacks?
While it falls under the broader category of brute-force attacks, password spraying is more strategic—and more difficult to detect.
Brute-Force Attacks
These involve trying numerous password combinations against one user account until access is granted. They’re noisy, high-volume, and usually trigger lockout mechanisms.
Credential Stuffing
This method uses stolen username/password pairs from past breaches to gain access to other services. It assumes the user has reused their credentials across platforms.
Password Spraying
This technique stands out by using a few common passwords across many usernames, avoiding detection while exploiting human tendencies to create weak, repetitive passwords.
The key difference? Password spraying is designed for stealth, distributing its attempts in a way that most conventional defenses don’t anticipate.
How to Detect and Prevent Password Spraying
Proactive defense is the best protection. At FSET, we recommend a multi-layered approach that blends people, process, and technology.
1. Enforce Strong Password Policies
Ensure users create complex, unique passwords—and change them regularly. Enforce minimum length, character variety, and prohibit reused or previously breached passwords. Password managers can help employees manage secure credentials without relying on memory.
2. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA adds an extra layer of protection beyond passwords. Even if a password is compromised, access will still require a secondary form of verification, drastically reducing the likelihood of unauthorized entry.
3. Monitor for Unusual Login Behavior
Monitor authentication logs for anomalies, such as repeated failed logins from a single IP address or login attempts across many accounts in a short time span. FSET can assist in setting up intelligent monitoring solutions that detect these subtle patterns.
4. Educate Users Regularly
Security awareness is essential. Provide regular training on password hygiene, phishing awareness, and the importance of MFA. Empower your users to be the first line of defense against attacks.
5. Conduct Security Audits
Regularly audit systems and authentication logs. Security assessments can reveal vulnerabilities, while periodic penetration testing simulates real-world attacks—providing insight into how resilient your defenses really are.
Advanced Measures to Strengthen Your Cybersecurity Posture
In addition to foundational defenses, consider implementing:
- Behavior-based detection rules: Identify login attempts that deviate from established baselines.
- Geo-fencing and time-based restrictions: Prevent logins from unexpected locations or outside working hours.
- Lockout thresholds: Configure policies that lock accounts after a certain number of failed attempts—even if they’re spread across time or accounts.
At FSET, we help organizations configure these advanced protections without sacrificing productivity.
Why It Matters More Than Ever
Password spraying attacks have grown in frequency and sophistication, with even state-sponsored threat actors using them to gain entry into corporate and government systems. Once inside, attackers can pivot laterally, escalate privileges, exfiltrate data, or deploy malware such as rootkits—tools that provide long-term access while evading detection.
A single compromised account can be the entry point for far greater damage. Prevention is not optional—it’s critical.
Let’s Secure Your Digital Environment
FSET specializes in helping organizations of all sizes enhance their cybersecurity resilience. Our team of experts can assist in designing and implementing robust password policies, deploying MFA, configuring advanced detection systems, and conducting red-team exercises to assess your defenses.
Ready to defend against password spraying and other emerging threats?
Contact us today to learn how we can help protect your business from the inside out.