dictionary attack
nounUK /ˌdɪkʃənəɹi əˈtæk/ · US /ˌdɪkʃəˌnɛɹi əˈtæk/
Etymology From dictionary + attack.
1
Computing, Cryptography, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences An attempt to illegally access a computer network, website, etc., that uses a list of words (from a dictionary) to try to guess decryption keys or passwords.
- Experts warn against using ordinary words as passwords as they are vulnerable to dictionary attacks.
- Derived terms
- dictionary attacker
- Related terms
- brute force