dictionary attack

[/ˈdɪkʃəneri əˈtæk/]
nounpl: dictionary attacks
ataque de dicionário
1. A cybersecurity attack method where an attacker attempts to gain unauthorized access by trying passwords or encryption keys from a pre-compiled list of words, commonly found in dictionaries or databases of previously compromised passwords
The hacker used a dictionary attack to crack the user's password by testing thousands of common words in seconds.
O hacker usou um ataque de dicionário para quebrar a senha do usuário testando milhares de palavras comuns em segundos.
2. A brute-force attack variant that is more efficient than random guessing, exploiting the tendency of users to choose passwords based on actual dictionary words
Dictionary attacks are particularly effective against weak passwords because most people choose words they can remember.
Ataques de dicionário são particularmente eficazes contra senhas fracas porque a maioria das pessoas escolhe palavras que conseguem lembrar.
Dictionary attack is a specialized cybersecurity term used universally in both English and Portuguese-speaking tech communities. The concept emerged in the 1980s as password-protected systems became common. Understanding dictionary attacks is crucial for cybersecurity awareness in both USA and Brazil, where data breaches and password security are increasingly important topics in corporate and government IT departments.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
word list attackpassword dictionary attacklexicon attack
Antonyms / Antônimos
brute force attack (when exhaustive)random guessing

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ataque de dicionário
Standard terminology used in IT security contexts throughout Brazil
Portugal
ataque de dicionário
Same terminology used in European Portuguese cybersecurity documentation
Technical English
ataque por dicionário
Alternative formulation sometimes used in technical Brazilian Portuguese literature

Related Words

brute force attackpassword crackingcybersecurityencryptionrainbow tablesalt (cryptography)hash function

Related Idioms & Phrases

a dictionary attack is only as strong as the dictionary used
protect against dictionary attacks with strong passwords
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →