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dictionary attack

/ˈdɪkʃənɛri əˈtæk/

Meanings
noun
An attack that uses a list of words (from a dictionary) to try and guess passwords or decryption keys

Examples :

"The hacker used a dictionary attack to try and guess the password for my email account, hoping it was a common word. "
computing internet technology

Related Words

Illustration dictionary

dictionary noun

/ˈdɪkʃəˌnɛɹi/ /ˈdɪkʃ(ə)n(ə)ɹi/

A reference work with a list of words from one or more languages, normally ordered alphabetically, explaining each word's meaning, and sometimes containing information on its etymology, pronunciation, usage, translations, and other data.

"To understand the word "optimistic," I looked it up in the dictionary. "

Illustration password

password noun

/ˈpæswɜːd/ /ˈpæswɜːɹd/

A word used to gain admittance or to gain access to information; watchword.

"To log in to the school website, students need their password. "

Illustration hoping

hoping verb

/ˈhəʊpɪŋ/ /ˈhoʊpɪŋ/

To want something to happen, with a sense of expectation that it might.

"I am still hoping that all will turn out well."

Illustration that

that noun

/ˈðæt/ /ˈd̪æt/ /ˈðɛt/

Something being indicated that is there; one of those.

"My sister brought several books to the library, and that one is about dinosaurs. "

Illustration common

common noun

/ˈkɒmən/ /ˈkɑmən/

Mutual good, shared by more than one.

"The common good of the school is ensured by a strong parent-teacher association. "

Illustration email

email noun

/ˈiːmeɪl/ /ˈiˌmeɪl/ /ɛˈmeɪl/

A system for transferring messages from one computer to another, usually through a network.

"He sent me his details via email."

Illustration passwords

passwords noun

/ˈpæswɜːdz/ /ˈpæswərdz/

A word used to gain admittance or to gain access to information; watchword.

""Remember to keep your passwords secret so no one else can log into your accounts." "

Illustration words

words noun

/wɜːdz/

The smallest unit of language that has a particular meaning and can be expressed by itself; the smallest discrete, meaningful unit of language. (contrast morpheme.)

"The teacher wrote new vocabulary words on the board. "

Illustration hacker

hacker noun

/hækə(ɹ)/

One who is expert at programming and solving problems with a computer.

"The computer hacker quickly found a solution to the family's internet connection problem. "

Illustration guess

guess verb

/ɡɛs/

To reach a partly (or totally) unqualified conclusion.

"I guess I'll have to stay home from school today. "

Illustration account

account noun

/ə.ˈkaʊnt/

A registry of pecuniary transactions; a written or printed statement of business dealings or debts and credits, and also of other things subjected to a reckoning or review.

"The family's monthly account showed they spent more than their income. "

Illustration attack

attack noun

/əˈtæk/

An attempt to cause damage, injury to, or death of opponent or enemy.

"The bully's attack on the smaller child left him with a bruised arm. "