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One of the most frequent cybersecurity risks that WordPress site owners see is still brute force attacks. If you’re unprepared, your website may be infiltrated before you even notice it. These attacks focus on continuously guessing username and password combinations until access is given. Therefore, you need to understand what is brute force attack and how you can protect your system from such attacks.

Fortunately, you don’t need to consider yourself a security specialist to prevent brute force attacks with WordPress. Protecting your website might turn out simpler than you would think, from straightforward login adjustments to server-level safeguards. You just need a brute force attack tool to prevent your site from such attacks.

Keep reading and exploring to learn what is a brute force attack and how you can protect your site with simple brute force tools in 2026.

Key Takeaways

• In order to obtain illegal access to websites and systems, hackers frequently guess usernames and passwords in an attack known as a brute force attack.
• Because of their unprotected login pages, weak passwords, and repeated credentials, WordPress websites are often targeted.
• Enabling strong passwords, two-factor authentication, CAPTCHA, and regular updates dramatically minimizes the danger of brute force attacks.
• In order to avoid account takeovers in 2026 and beyond, a proactive defense is created via the use of layered security technologies and user education.

What is Brute Force Attack?

In simple words, a brute force attack is a type of hacking where encryption keys, login credentials, and passwords are cracked by trial and error.

Moreover, it is a straightforward yet effective method for obtaining illegal access to personal accounts as well as the networks and systems of small businesses. Until they discover the right login details, the hacker attempts a variety of usernames & passwords, regularly utilizing a computer to try a wide range of combinations.

The term “brute force” refers to attackers’ overly aggressive attempts to enter user accounts. Brute force attacks are a tried-and-true cyberattack technique that is still being used by hackers. Moreover, let’s discuss different types of attacks to understand what is brute force attack in 2026.

What Are the Different Types Of Brute Force Attack?

The guessing kind of brute force attack has variants and exceptions that need clarification.

Simple Brute Force Attacks

In straightforward attacks, cybercriminals use basic assumptions and reasoning to guess credit card numbers and passwords. For instance, when brute forcing gift cards or credit cards, attackers will count permutations that satisfy a known criterion on these cards, such as the quantity of digits. Luhn’s Algorithm is one test that may reduce the number of viable choices.

A brute-force attacker can search their target’s social media profiles for terms with particular meaning, such as the name of their pet, to incorporate into password guesses while attempting to guess login credentials.

Another example is a typical number combination, such as “123,” which is frequently popular to generate passwords that call for numbers.

In a similar vein, exclamation points are most popular for use in passwords that need a symbol. An attacker can manually enter the most popular passwords from a public list.

Dictionary Attacks

Dictionary attacks serve the purpose of cybercriminals to guess passwords using well-known terms. Attackers used to search dictionaries for terms to use in password guesses, which is how dictionary attacks earned their name.

This technique may also be used by attackers to work backwards, beginning with a well-known password and speculating on frequent usernames until they discover a working pair.

Known by several other names, such as password spraying and reverse brute force attacks, this method opens systems when the conventional method fails, since popular passwords probably work with multiple usernames.

Also Read: Safe Web Browsing: Defending Against Phishing Attacks

Reverse Brute Force Attacks

An attacker starts a reverse brute force attack with a common password, which he got from a network breach. Using lists of millions of usernames, they use that password to look for a login credential that matches. Therefore, understanding what is brute force attack and its types is necessary.

Additionally, attackers might use a popular weak password, like “Password123,” to look for a match in a database of usernames.

Hybrid Brute Force Attacks

Combining a dictionary attack with a basic brute force attack results in a hybrid brute force attack. In order to guess passwords, the attack begins with dictionary terms as the fundamental building block and then adds letters, numbers, and symbols.

Cybercriminals frequently employ software to create guesses using popular terms and replacements like “password,” “pAssword,” and “pa$sw0rd.”

People often have to buy websites to use unusual characters or numbers in their passwords. Many people take their old passwords and manually add logical characters to make them simpler to remember. To find such passwords, the hybrid brute force attack mimics this method.

Also Read: Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud: Why Temok Stands Out in Cyber Security Solutions

Credential Stuffing

Credential stuffing bots employ brute force attacks on dozens to hundreds of websites and applications to test stolen usernames and passwords. A combination that works on one website is probably going to work on another, as 75% of users repeat passwords for several accounts. An ATO attack may take advantage of validated credential pairs.

Brute Force Attack Examples

Here are the examples of brute force attacks in this what is brute force attack:

Dunkin’ Donuts Settles Fines Totaling More Than $500,000

In a well-known brute force incident in 2015, hackers utilized a leaked list of previously stolen credentials to attack Dunkin’ Donuts’ digital customer accounts using brute force methods. They took thousands of dollars’ worth of rewards money after gaining access to 19,715 user accounts for the customer loyalty program.

Dunkin’ Donuts was obliged to change all user passwords and update security procedures for the application as a result of the brute force attack and breach on customer accounts, which cost the firm $650,000 in penalties and damages.

Alibaba Breached 20.6 Million Accounts

A group of hackers used a previously compromised database containing more than 99 million login credentials for various online applications in 2016.

They successfully gained access to around 20% of all the targeted accounts by using credential stuffing and brute force, taking advantage of weak passwords and people using the same password for several accounts.

It was determined that over 20.6 million Alibaba accounts were successfully hijacked and accessed fraudulently, and all users were ordered to reset their passwords, even though no monetary penalties have been specified.

How to Prevent Your Site From a Brute Force Attack?

Here are the steps to prevent your WordPress from brute force attacks:

1. Make sure your passwords are stronger

Making passwords as difficult to crack as feasible is the strongest defense against brute force attacks that target passwords.

By choosing stronger passwords and adhering to stringent password best practices, end users may play a crucial part in safeguarding the data of both themselves and their company.

Attackers will find it more difficult and time-consuming to guess their passwords as a result in the web browser, which may cause them to give up.

Stronger password recommendations in understanding what is brute force attack consists of:

• Make secure passwords with several characters.
• Use complex passphrases
• Make guidelines for creating passwords.
• Steer clear of popular passwords.
• Make sure each account has a different password.
• Make use of password managers.

2. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication can deter hackers even if they manage to figure out your password. Brute force entry is practically difficult with 2FA, as users must confirm their identity with a one-time code provided to their phone or email.

Key brute force attack tool software to use:

• Google Authenticator plugin.
• WP 2FA.
• Wordfence with 2FA enabled.

For admin-level users and anybody with access to critical site settings, two-factor authentication is particularly crucial. Moreover, you can use the above brute attack software to prevent your site from possible attacks.

3. Educate People On Passwords

Consumers must comprehend best practices for password usage and security, as well as how to spot the warning signs of cyberattacks.

To stay informed about the most recent dangers and to reinforce best practices, they also require frequent training and updates.

In addition to allowing users to save complicated passwords, corporate password management solutions or vaults also remove the possibility of password loss, which might jeopardize company data.

Moreover, you can also define brute force attack to them to tell the real brute force meaning. Let’s move to another step in understanding what is brute force attack and how to prevent it in 2026.

4. Update WordPress

Attackers can easily access outdated software. Brute force bots frequently take advantage of known flaws, particularly in older WordPress themes or WordPress plugins. Keeping your site up to date is a quiet but effective technique to prevent intrusions.

Key Tips

• Turn on WordPress core and plugin auto-updates.
• Remove any plugins or themes that are not in use.
• Keep an eye out for developer upgrades in security bulletins.

5. On Login Pages, use CAPTCHA or reCAPTCHA

You can prevent bots from quickly submitting login requests by adding a Google reCAPTCHA to your login screen. Additionally, it establishes a straightforward barrier that most brute force techniques are unable to go beyond.

Important Plugins

• No Captcha reCAPTCHA for login.
• WPForms (which incorporates CAPTCHA into registration and login forms).

For a robust layered defense, this step complements 2FA nicely. A popular CAPTCHA tool that aids in differentiating between real users and bots trying automated attacks is Google reCAPTCHA. Create reCAPTCHA keys and include them in your website to increase security.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is a Famous Example Of A Brute Force Attack?

In a well-known brute force attack from 2015, hackers utilized a leaked list of previously stolen credentials to target Dunkin’ Donuts’ digital customer accounts using brute force methods.

Is DDoS a Brute Force Attack?

Indeed, a lot of DDoS attacks employ brute force by overloading a server with requests in an attempt to deplete its resources.

Are Brute Force Attacks Legal?

Brute force attacks are generally illegal. It is legal only when an organization conducts a penetration test on an application with the owner’s explicit permission.

Why Do Hackers Use A Brute Force Attack?

Because brute force attacks are an easy and frequently successful method of gaining unauthorized access to accounts and systems, hackers employ them.

Conclusion

Your protection shouldn’t be automated, but brute force attacks may be. By using the aforementioned tactics, you are actively safeguarding your online presence rather than only responding to a danger. Moreover, as a site owner, you must understand what is brute force attack and how to prevent it in 2026.

These strategies provide a multi-layered defense around your website, from protecting your login page and turning on 2FA to keeping an eye on activity and selecting a trustworthy host. Each layer helps you maintain control and makes it more difficult for attackers to succeed.