Are Your Accounts Safe from Password Spraying Attacks?

Who should read this?

• Individual users – Anyone who uses online services that require passwords, such as cloud applications, email accounts, or workplace tools.
• Organizations – Businesses or enterprises using cloud-based tools, email platforms, or any service where employees access accounts through passwords.

What is a password spraying attack?

Password spraying is a type of attack where cyber criminals try to guess common passwords, like ‘123456’ or ‘password,’ across many accounts to break in. Unlike other attacks that try multiple passwords on one account until they succeed, password spraying tries common passwords on many accounts, spreading out the attempts to avoid getting locked out. Attackers hope that by using simple, commonly used passwords, they can successfully breach an account without raising any red flags.

In fact, a recent cyber security study highlighted a worrying trend: millions of people still rely on weak and easily guessable passwords, which makes them highly vulnerable to such attacks. According to a KnownHost study, passwords like “123456” and “password” have been found in millions of data breaches, making them prime targets for attackers using password spraying techniques.

One recent attack targeted Microsoft 365 users, successfully exploiting weak, commonly guessed passwords on accounts that lacked additional security measures, such as 2FA.

As these attacks grow more sophisticated, it’s crucial to strengthen your security measures and ensure your accounts are protected with more robust passwords and additional layers like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).

In addition to traditional passwords, organizations and individuals should begin to adopt passkeys as a more secure alternative. Passkeys use cryptographic keys stored on your devices and authenticated through methods like biometrics, making them far less vulnerable to common cyber attacks like password spraying.

Why does this happen?

1. Weak passwords– Many people still use easy-to-guess passwords. Simple passwords like “Password123” or “12345” make it much easier for hackers to break in.
2. No Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)– If accounts don’t require a second layer of security (like a code sent to your phone), hackers have an easier time getting in.
3. Outdated security settings-Some accounts still use old security methods that are easier for hackers to break through, like outdated encryption.

What’s the risk to your business or personal security?

• Access to sensitive information: If attackers break into accounts, they can steal or modify important data, like emails, documents, or even financial information.
• Financial loss: Hackers could use stolen credentials to make fraudulent purchases or commit fraud.
• Damage to reputation: If personal or business accounts are hacked, it can lead to lost trust from clients, colleagues, or customers.
• Legal issues: Businesses that don’t properly protect accounts could face legal action, especially if sensitive data is stolen.

How to stay safe?

For individual users

1. Follow the company’s password guidelines – Follow your organization’s password policy, which requires using complex passwords. Avoid using easily guessable information like birthdays or pet names. If your company supports it, use a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords for each account. Strong, complex passwords are essential to prevent password spraying attacks.
2. Enable login alerts and monitor for suspicious activity – If your organization has set up login alerts, ensure they are activated for your accounts. Pay attention to notifications about logins from unfamiliar locations or devices. If you notice anything suspicious, report it to your IT or security team immediately. This helps detect potential password spraying attempts early.
3. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – If your organization has implemented MFA, ensure it is activated for your corporate accounts. If MFA is not set up, contact your IT or security team to enable it. MFA provides an extra layer of security, making it harder for attackers to gain access even if your password is compromised in a password spraying attack.

For organizations

1. Limit public organizational information-Attackers use publicly available information (employee names, email formats, job titles) to guess passwords. Review and limit the exposure of such details on your website and public directories. The less attackers know about your organization, the harder it is for them to target employees successfully.
2. Implement account lockout for failed logins-Set a limit on the number of failed login attempts before locking an account or slowing login attempts. This prevents attackers from making unlimited guesses using common passwords. By reducing the speed of login attempts, you make password spraying attacks less effective.
3. Enforce strong password policies-Go beyond basic password complexity requirements. Mandate that passwords be a random mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Encourage employees to use password managers, which securely generate and store complex passwords. Password managers help employees avoid using weak or reused passwords, ensuring that each account has a unique, strong password. This significantly reduces the likelihood of attackers guessing passwords and greatly improves security.
4. Adopt passkey authentication for enhanced security-Passkeys are a more secure alternative to traditional passwords. Instead of relying on passwords that can be easily guessed or stolen. Passkeys are like digital keys that are much harder to steal than passwords. They use your device and your fingerprint or face to authenticate your identity. Encouraging the use of passkeys for sensitive accounts can significantly reduce the risk of password spraying and other credential-based attacks.
5. Segment sensitive accounts and apply extra protection– Identify high-risk accounts (e.g., those with administrative access or managing sensitive data) and apply stricter security measures such as more frequent password changes and multi-factor authentication (MFA). This ensures that even if a password is compromised, attackers cannot access sensitive systems without additional layers of verification.

References

1. BleepingComputer: Botnet Targets Basic Auth in Microsoft 365 Password Spray Attacks
2. Crowdstrike: Password Spraying Explained
3. Forbes: Microsoft Password Spray and Pray Attack