About this question
Can someone explain the major differences between a Brute force attack and a Dictionary attack. Does the term rainbow table have any relation with these?
Can someone explain the major differences between a Brute force attack and a Dictionary attack. Does the term rainbow table have any relation with these?
Log in to share your answer and help other learners.
Log in to answerBest Answer · By JanBask Cyber Security Expert
Answered on Sep 26, 2022
The answer to your question - How is the merging of dictionary attack and a brute force attack possible is -
A brute force attack means probing the complete key space on the algorithm.
A dictionary attack means that you probe only passwords/keys from a dictionary (which does not contain the complete key space).
A brute force attack is primarily used against the encryption algorithm itself (you can also use this against passwords but there you use dictionary attacks most of the time).
A dictionary attack is primarily used against passwords. Encryption algorithms are seldom attacked with a dictionary attack because most times they use a random number as key (if you use a weak PRNG then a dictionary attack could be feasible). A typical dictionary for this attack would contain the most used passwords.
A rainbow table is used to attack a hashed password in reverse. That means I have a table with possible hashes and look up a matching password. To prevent attacks using rainbow tables each hashed password should be differently salted as then I would need a rainbow table for every hash and every salt
Free tutorials and interview questions from industry experts — learn the skill, then get ready to prove it.
Step-by-step Cyber Security guides from industry experts
Common Cyber Security interview questions, answered
Guides, tips and career advice on Cyber Security from JanBask experts.
Cyber Security The Ultimate Guide to SOC Analyst Certifications: Entry-Level to Senior
Not sure which SOC analyst certification to take first? Compare Security+, CySA+, SC-200, and hands-on certs with costs, study…
Cyber Security GRC Analyst Certification Guide: Best Certs, Costs, and the Right Order
Which GRC analyst certification should you take first? Compare Security+, CGRC, CRISC, CISA, and GRCP by cost, experience needed,…
Cyber Security Penetration Tester Certification Guide: Best Certs & Order (2026)
Which penetration testing certification should you take first? Compare Security+, eJPT, PenTest+, CEH, and OSCP by cost, exam…
Cyber Security Ethical Hacker Certification Guide: Best Certs, Costs (2026)
Which ethical hacker certification should you take first? Compare Security+, eJPT, CEH, PenTest+, PNPT, and OSCP by cost, exam…