112-52 · Question #11
Which technique involves trying all possible combinations of characters until the correct password is found?
The correct answer is B. Brute force attack. Brute force attack is correct because it is defined precisely as the exhaustive method of systematically trying every possible character combination until the right password is found - no shortcuts, just computational persistence. Why the others are wrong: Phishing (A) tricks use
Question
Which technique involves trying all possible combinations of characters until the correct password is found?
Options
- APhishing
- BBrute force attack
- CDictionary attack
- DSocial engineering
How the community answered
(55 responses)- A2% (1)
- B91% (50)
- C2% (1)
- D5% (3)
Explanation
Brute force attack is correct because it is defined precisely as the exhaustive method of systematically trying every possible character combination until the right password is found - no shortcuts, just computational persistence.
Why the others are wrong:
- Phishing (A) tricks users into voluntarily revealing credentials through deceptive emails or fake websites - no password cracking involved.
- Dictionary attack (C) is close but only tries words from a predefined wordlist, not all possible combinations - making it faster but less exhaustive than brute force.
- Social engineering (D) manipulates people psychologically to divulge information; it exploits human behavior, not computational trial-and-error.
Memory tip: Think of "brute force" like a caveman smashing every key on a lock - no strategy, just raw, exhaustive strength. If you see "all possible combinations" or "every possibility" in a question, that phrase is the fingerprint of brute force.
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