Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

Which password cracking method involves trying every possible password combination without any prior knowledge of likely passwords?

1. Dictionary attack

2. Brute-force attack

3. Hybrid attack

4. Man-in-the-middle attack

The correct answer is: Brute-force attack

The method that involves trying every possible password combination without any prior knowledge of likely passwords is known as a brute-force attack. This approach is systematic and exhaustive, as it tests every possible combination of characters until the correct password is found. The brute-force method doesn't rely on any guesses or a list of commonly used passwords; instead, it works through all potential combinations, making it a thorough but time-consuming technique. In contrast, a dictionary attack utilizes a pre-defined list of potential passwords, focusing on commonly used or predictable passwords. A hybrid attack combines elements of both dictionary and brute-force attacks, using a known list of words while also incorporating additional characters or variations to extend the search. A man-in-the-middle attack is unrelated to password cracking; it involves intercepting communications between two parties to capture or manipulate data. Thus, the brute-force attack stands out as the method that attempts every conceivable combination without prior password knowledge.