How to Prevent Brute Force Attacks: 8 Proven Techniques

In 2024, the RockYou2024 leak exposed around 10 billion unique passwords. It was the largest credential breach in history. Attackers use automated scripts that attempt billions of password combinations per hour using brute force.

If your login page has no protection, a hacker can crack a simple character password in a second. A brute force attack results in serious consequences like account takeover, financial fraud, data breach, identity theft, and reputational damage. In this guide, you will learn 8 proven techniques to prevent brute force attacks.

What is a Brute Force Attack?

Brute Force Attack is a cyberattack in which an attacker uses different username and password combinations until they find the correct credentials and gain access to an account, system, or application.

How does a brute force attack work?

The brute force attacks involve a series of steps. Here is how it works:

Target Selection: The attacker selects a specific target for a brute force attack on an account, service, or encrypted file)

Password Generation: It creates a list of all possible passwords to try.

Automated Trial: Attackers use automated software or a script to check all possible passwords

Success or failure: If the attacker got the correct password. The attacker will gain access to the website or target.

8 Techniques to Prevent Brute Force Attacks

Implement these methods to prevent Brute force attacks:

Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Users should use Multi-Factor Authentication to prevent unauthorized access. Because even if the attacker guesses the right password, he/she needs additional key to access the account.

Update Software Regularly

You should keep your system up to date to fix security weaknesses or vulnerabilities. Regular updates help you find and fix security gaps, which help attackers to gain unauthorized access.

Limit Login Attempts

Businesses should limit the login attempts to 3 login attempts at a time. Because attackers use automated tools for multiple login attempts.

Use Smart Lockout Policies

Temporarily lock the account after multiple failed attempts instead of permanently disabling an account. This will reduce the impact of brute force.

Web Application Firewall: 

A WAF monitors website traffic, identifies suspicious login activity, and blocks malicious bots and IP addresses. This helps prevent brute force attacks before they reach the login page.

Monitor and Block Suspicious IP Addresses

Use tools for continuously monitoring the authentication logs. It helps organizations identify unusual login behaviour and block suspicious IP addresses.

CAPTCHA After Failed Attempts

A business should use CAPTCHA because it helps in differentiating between a actual human and scripts.

Strong Password Policies and Regular Updates

User should create complex passwords for their systems or the websites they use. The password should be a mix of uppercase, lowercase, letters, numbers, and special characters. Passwords should be changed on a regular basis so an attacker can’t use stolen passwords.

Prevent Brute Force Attacks with DeepIDSDK

The above-mentioned techniques are useful, but attackers use VPNs, proxies, and automation tools to distribute login attempts. DeepID helps solve this issue by using device intelligence.

It helps identify risk signals to trigger additional verification, bot, device farm, restrict suspicious access, and improve account security. If you use DeepID alongside prevention techniques, you can reduce the risk of brute-force attacks and unauthorized account access.

Conclusion

A brute force attack is a serious threat. However, you can prevent brute force attacks through the above-mentioned techniques, including Multi-Factor Authentication, Limit Login Attempts, Using smart login policies, CAPTCHA, and strong password policies and regular updates. Apart from the common techniques, a business should use additional security solutions like device intelligence. It helps in continuously monitoring users' activity and blocking suspicious devices and users on time. For users, it is advisable to use a complex password, update passwords regularly, and use multi-factor authentication to prevent such attacks.

FAQs

Ques: What is brute force attack prevention?

Ans: It is a process of using techniques like MFA, rate limiting, and WAF to identify and block brute force fraud attacks.

Ques: What are the types of brute force attacks?

Ans: Simple brute force, Dictionary Attacks, Hybrid Brute Force, Reverse Brute Force, and Credential Stuffing are the five types.

Ques: What are common techniques to protect against brute force attacks?

Ans: The common techniques to protect against brute force attacks are:

Multi-Factor Authentication

Update Software Regularly

Limit Login Attempts

Use Smart Logout Policies

Web Application Firewall

Using CAPTCHA

Ques: What tools do attackers use for brute force attacks?

Ans: Attackers use automated tools such as Hydra, Medusa, and custom scripts.

Ques: Can Brute Force Attacks bypass MFA?

Ans: No, because MFA requires additional verification before accessing the account.