Brute force attacks and how to prevent them in 2026

• What a brute force attack is — and how it threatens your passwords.

• Common types, from dictionary attacks to credential stuffing.

• How to prevent brute force attacks with rate-limiting, 2FA, and more.

• Best tools and defenses for your platform.

• Frequently asked questions.

Although threat actors continually come up with new and sophisticated ways to hack or breach websites, there are some classic methods that live on. While simple, they still prove largely effective. One of those methods is brute force attacks. 

It’s one of the oldest cyberattack methods, and it remains popular among hackers. It may seem rudimentary, but it’s essential to know how to protect yourself from harm. Read on to learn the brute force attack definition, the risks, and what you can do to prevent it.

What is a brute force attack in cybersecurity?

A brute force attack is a hacking method that uses trial and error to guess login credentials, encryption keys, or hidden web pages. They’re called brute force attacks because that’s precisely what they involve. Malicious actors attempt to gain unauthorized access to accounts or networks through excessive trial and error. This trial and error may take only a few minutes or up to several years. 

A typical example is using multiple username and password combinations to try to log in to an account. They may guess the password by using common passwords, previous password leaks, or by researching the target’s personal information, such as birthdays or pet names. This can be done manually or with specialty software, which makes it much faster.

Brute force attacks can occur across every online platform. According to Group-IB, web applications and portals, such as customer account portals, content management system (CMS) admin panels, such as WordPress, account for 43% of brute force attacks. After that come network and server logins, then email and social media accounts.

How does a brute force attack work?

A typical brute force attack can be broken down into three main steps: 

1. Choosing a target

There are a few reasons why a person or organization might be targeted for a brute force attack. Valuable information such as private customer data, financial information, or intellectual property is important, but so is ease of access. Malicious actors will look out for systems with weak defenses, for example, out-of-date software or poor password policies lacking multi-factor authentication (MFA) implementation. 

2. Attack launch

This may be manual, but attackers more commonly use software and bots, as it’s much more efficient and can be automated. There are different kinds of attacks, which we’ll discuss more later, but they’ll typically try to log in to a portal with numerous potential credential combinations. To avoid detection and increase the chance of success, attackers could use a botnet to distribute attempts across various machines and IP addresses. This reduces the likelihood of lockouts or rate limiting.

3. Gaining access

If the attacker finds a successful combination and avoids security detection, they can access the target system or account. After that, they may steal data or penetrate the system further and launch a malicious attack, like infecting it with malware or disrupting service.

It’s uncommon for attackers to perform brute force attacks manually these days. Specialized tools are far more convenient, as they can find the correct password combinations or session IDs much faster than a human could. 

Popular tools for brute force attacks include:

• Aircrack-ng – monitors and exports data via Wi-Fi network security, launching attacks like fake access points and packet injections.

• John the Ripper – an open-source password cracking tool used by both ethical and black-hate hackers.

• Hydra – an open source platform that can swiftly run through many password combinations and can attack over 50 protocols and multiple operating systems.

What are the different types of brute force attacks?

Though the purpose of every brute force attack is essentially the same, how hackers go about it can differ. Study the table below to familiarize yourself with the different types of brute force attacks and what they involve.

Why are brute force attacks dangerous?

Like any cyberattack, brute force attacks can leave Internet users and online businesses vulnerable in multiple ways, including:

• Risk of account takeover – for users, this can result in data theft and financial loss, while businesses face reputational and economic damage.

• Identity theft – if hackers access someone’s personal information, they can use this to commit fraud in their name, from opening accounts to getting loans.

• Network breaches (RDP brute force) – threat actors can gain access to multiple computers, spreading malware or ransomware throughout the network. 

• Cost of response – business data breaches often result in operational downtime, expensive investigations, fines, and more.

How to prevent a brute force attack

While the consequences of a brute force attack can be severe, fortunately, they can be prevented with some simple safeguards.

1. Login protection

Brute force attack prevention begins at the login page. Here are some key measures to take:

• Enable 2FA/MFA – if hackers do manage to correctly guess a password, this extra layer of protection will prevent them from getting any further.

• Use CAPTCHA after failed logins – for automated brute force attempts, CAPTCHA can prevent bots and software from gaining access to accounts.

• Block repeated login attempts – use rate limiting, which limits login attempts in a specific timeframe, or IP banning, which blocks IPs for suspicious behavior.

2. Password security

Password hygiene is a vital yet all-too-often neglected element of online security. Passwords like “123456” and “password” will no longer cut it in today’s digital landscape. So make sure to: 

• Enforce strong password policies

• Require passphrases or long random passwords

• Use a mix of numbers, characters, symbols, and cases

• Don’t include any personal information, like a pet name or birthday

• Avoid reusing passwords across multiple platforms

• Use a good password manager to safely store and keep track of passwords

3. Network-level defenses

Having safeguards beyond the login page is also essential.

• Use a web application firewall (WAF) – mechanisms like rate limiting, bot detection, and geo-blocking identify and mitigate brute force attempts.

• Limit access to login portals –  some ways to do this include restricting access to specific IPs or only allowing VPN access.

• Monitor failed login attempts – use security information and event management (SIEM) tools to monitor, analyse, and alert you to anything suspicious.

What tools help stop brute force attacks?

Here’s how to stop a brute force attack by using a range of free and paid tools.

How to detect if you’re under brute force attack

If you use a platform with built-in security features and implement the right tools, you should be able to detect if you’re under attack or if a brute force attack has been attempted. Look out for signs like:

• A spike in failed login attempts.

• Log anomalies, such as the same IP attempting multiple times. 

• Security alerts from your hosting or CDN.

How to choose the right brute force defense for your website

Selecting the proper brute force defense for your site will depend on a few factors. Here are some steps to safeguard your site appropriately:

1. Assess your platform

Is your site hosted on WordPress, a site builder/software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, or a custom backend built entirely by you? This will impact the kind of protection you can implement and how much control you have over it.

2. Choose appropriate protection

You know your platform, so here’s what protection is best: 

• WordPress – easily add plugins to protect your site, such as security plugins that include WAF, CAPTCHA, and login limiting. You can also change your login page URL.

• Site builder/SaaS – these platforms usually handle security and login protection, so make sure it’s turned on. Customization is usually limited.

• Custom backend – you’ll need to add code yourself, such as rate limiting, at the server level. You have full control over what you can implement.

3. Add MFA for all users

Whatever your website platform, the extra layer of protection MFA brings is essential to brute force protection. 

• WordPress – Some plugins, like WP 2FA and Wordfence, allow you to make MFA a requirement for all users.

• Site builder/ SaaS – most modern platforms should offer a way to implement this in account settings.

• Custom backend – use authenticator apps or WebAuthn, such as passkeys.

4. Monitor logs regularly

All programs, software, systems, and apps generate records of events known as logs. Monitoring certain types of logs, such as login attempts and system activities, can keep you on top of how everything is running. 

For WordPress, a plugin like WP Security Activity Log will make log monitoring easy. For website builders, you’ll need to investigate its particular activity log section, though how detailed it is will vary. For custom backends, set up structured login logs that track successful and failed logins with IP and username, then centralize those logs. Trigger alerts or auto-block when suspicious patterns appear, such as spikes in repeated failures from a specific IP.

Final paragraph

Now you should have a good idea of what a brute force attack is and what it involves. Fortunately, while the consequences of these attacks can be serious, they are easily preventable. Using guidance from this article, take the time to review your current login security settings and habits and make improvements as needed. If you’re interested in a platform with built-in protection, from firewalls to intrusion prevention, explore how Spaceship safeguards all hosting accounts.