The Silent Cyberattack You’ve Probably Never Heard Of: Password Spraying

Let’s be honest—most of us know we should be using stronger passwords. But when it comes to actually doing it, convenience tends to win. Unfortunately, hackers are counting on that.

One of the more subtle, but highly effective, cyberattacks out there today is called password spraying. And if your business isn’t prepared for it, this quiet threat could punch a major hole in your cybersecurity defenses.

What Is Password Spraying, Anyway?

Password spraying is a twist on the classic brute-force attack. Instead of bombarding one account with every password combination imaginable (which usually triggers a lockout), attackers try a single weak password—like “Spring2024!”—across hundreds or even thousands of user accounts.

Why does it work? Because someone in your company is probably using a password that weak. And when attackers automate the process, they don’t need many hits to do damage.

Unlike other attacks that make a lot of noise, password spraying flies under the radar. Since it spreads out login attempts across multiple accounts, it often avoids detection.

Where Do Hackers Get the Usernames?

They don’t have to look far. Usernames can be scraped from public directories, LinkedIn, or old data breaches. Once they have a list, it’s game on.

Even worse—many of the passwords they try aren’t random. They’re based on common patterns, like “CompanyName123” or “Welcome2023.” In other words, the kinds of passwords too many people are still using.

So, How Is This Different From Other Cyberattacks?

Let’s break it down:

Brute-force attacks try lots of passwords against a single account.
Credential stuffing uses stolen username/password pairs from past breaches.
Password spraying flips the script—it uses one password across many accounts.

That’s what makes it so sneaky. Because it doesn’t hammer one account, most systems don’t flag it as suspicious… until it’s too late.

Detecting and Preventing Password Spraying Attacks

You can’t stop what you can’t see. That’s why detection and prevention are critical.

Here’s what you should be doing:

1. Strengthen Your Password Policy

Encourage strong, unique passwords that aren’t easy to guess. Ban commonly used ones and set minimum complexity requirements. A password manager can help take the guesswork out of it for your team.

2. Require Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

If a hacker does get a password right, MFA acts as a second lock on the door. It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to stop account takeovers.

Set up alerts for unusual login behavior—like failed attempts across multiple accounts in a short period. Many modern tools can detect this pattern, but only if you’re watching for it.

4. Train Your Team

Sometimes it’s not about tech—it’s about awareness. Make sure your employees know the risks of weak passwords and reusing credentials. A little education goes a long way.

5. Run Regular Security Audits

Audit your login logs and security tools regularly. Look for patterns and potential vulnerabilities before they’re exploited.

Going the Extra Mile

If you really want to reduce your risk, here are a few bonus steps to take:

Limit login attempts and lock accounts temporarily after failed tries (just be careful not to make life too hard for legit users).
Use login anomaly detection tools that flag logins from unusual locations or devices.
Have a response plan. If a password spraying attack happens, be ready to act quickly—notify users, reset passwords, and audit the impact.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Password spraying might not make headlines like ransomware, but it’s quietly targeting businesses every day—especially those relying on outdated login security.

If you want help reviewing your current setup or improving your defenses, let’s chat. We help businesses across Kennesaw and the greater Atlanta area stay protected, without overcomplicating things.

Reach out today—and let’s make sure weak passwords don’t become your weakest link.

06/19/2025