Brute Force Attack Prevention: A Guide to Safeguarding Your Website

Cybercrime is a multi-trillion-dollar industry with a continuous upward trend prediction.

The global cybercrime expense projection anticipates 69.39% growth from 2024 through 2029, which will result in a $6.4 trillion market expansion. The dynamic cyber threat landscape features brute force attacks as one of the principal threats that endanger websites of various sizes.

Despite their lack of vulnerability exploitation capabilities, brute force attacks function differently than sophisticated attacks. They depend solely on continuous password and username combination attempts to penetrate unauthorised systems.

The guide presents detailed brute force attack prevention tactics and analyses of their destructive effects to protect your website from these relentless assaults.

Understanding Brute Force Attacks

A simple yet robust hacking technique exists in brute-force attacks. Effective brute-force attack prevention depends heavily on understanding diverse brute-force attack strategies. A brute force attack differs from conventional cyber intrusions since it attempts to break into systems by automatically testing easy-to-guess account credentials.

Attackers employ automatic tools that test multiple username-password pairs continuously to eventually acquire valid credentials to infiltrate accounts, administrative panels, and protected directory access.

Due to widespread poor password hygiene and repeated credential use, brute force attacks continue to be a primary cyber threat. Website owners must implement defensive strategies to reduce security risk while fortifying their defences.

How Brute Force Attacks Work  

Brute force attacks function by automating login attempts. Attackers use scripts and specialised tools to test thousands—even millions—of password combinations. These attacks can take various forms:  

1. Simple Brute Force Attacks: This method systematically tries every possible password combination until it finds the correct one. If a password is weak, the attack can succeed quickly.  
2. Dictionary Attacks: Dictionary attacks employ a preprogrammed list of commonly used passwords instead of testing random character sequences.
3. Hybrid Attacks: A hybrid attack combines dictionary-based attempts with minor modifications, such as adding numbers or special characters to common words (e.g., “Password123”).  
4. Credential Stuffing: Attackers exploit username-password combinations previously disclosed by data breaches when they target multiple accounts belonging to users that maintain the same login credentials for various platforms.

Signs of a Brute Force Attack

Identifying brute force attacks at their onset enables organisations to reduce their adverse effects. Some key indicators include:  

• Multiple failed login attempts from the same IP address within a short timeframe.  
• A surge in login requests from different locations or unknown devices.  
• Slow website performance due to excessive server requests.  
• Unauthorised access attempts to admin panels or restricted pages.

The Dangers of Brute Force Attacks

Successful brute force attacks can devastate your website and your business.

• Data Breaches: Attackers can penetrate user data platforms to acquire personal details, financial information, and log-in access.
• Website Defacement: When threat actors modify your website content, you risk losing your brand reputation and seeing your customer base depart.
• Malware Injection: Hackers invade user devices to implant harmful software or redirect users to phishing websites by inserting malicious digital code into your website.
• Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks: The rapid frequency of server requests causes system overload, blocking legitimate users from accessing your website.
• Account Takeover: Users whose passwords get taken over face possible interception as attackers use their accounts to execute spam and phishing operations alongside other harmful activities.

Effective Strategies for Brute Force Attack Prevention

While brute force attacks exploit weak security practices, implementing robust defences can neutralise these threats. Brute force attack prevention demands a security strategy that unites powerful defensive practices with proactive protective measures.

Here are some essential strategies:

1. Enforce Strong Password Policies

Since brute force attacks thrive on weak passwords, enforcing strong credentials and robust authentication measures is a fundamental defence. Encourage users to:  

• Use long passwords (at least 12-16 characters).  
• Incorporate a mix of uppercase/lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. 
• Avoid common words, names, or patterns. 
• Regularly update passwords and avoid reusing old ones.  

2. Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Multifactor authentication (MFA) effectively reduces unauthorised account access, leading to a 99.22% decrease in all users and a 98.56% decrease in scenarios where login credentials are compromised.

2FA establishes additional security through supplemental authentication methods, including one-time SMS-based or authentication app codes. Attackers who correctly predict passwords remain barred from accessing the account because MFA requires dual verification.

3. Limit Login Attempts

Restrict the number of login attempts allowed from a single IP address within a specific timeframe. Setting a cap on failed login attempts can disrupt brute force attempts and prevent tools from making countless attempts. If a user exceeds the permissible number of failed attempts, temporarily lock the account or block the IP address.  

4. Use CAPTCHA Verification

Adding CAPTCHA to login forms prevents bots and automated scripts from executing mass login attempts.

Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) present challenges that are easy for humans to solve but difficult for bots, helping to deter automated brute force attacks. Modern CAPTCHA systems can differentiate between human users and bots using puzzles or image-based verifications.  

5. Restrict Access to Login Pages

Brute force attacks become harder to execute when authentication URLs are renamed or remain concealed. Modifying a WordPress login page URL from traditional `/wp-login.php` to a personalised address inhibits automatic cyberattacks that specifically target standard routes. Login page restriction through IP address access allows only authorised users to make authentication attempts.

6. Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A WAF acts as a shield between your website and incoming traffic, blocking malicious requests and filtering out brute-force attempts. It analyses traffic patterns and filters out malicious requests, preventing attackers from overwhelming login portals with automated login attempts.  

7. Enable Account Lockout Mechanisms

Configure alerts to notify you of suspicious login attempts or other potential security breaches and lock accounts temporarily after repeated failed login attempts. This prevents attackers from making continuous guesses and discourages brute-force attempts.  

8. Monitor and Log Login Activity

Analysing login logs on a routine basis allows the detection of suspicious security actions. Use website log analysis to track traffic patterns and identify abnormal behaviour, including multiple login attempts originating from a single IP address. 

If you detect two or more failed logins or unauthorised access attempts, begin blocking the source IP address immediately, followed by deploying additional security protocols.

9. Keep Software Updated

Proactive brute force attack prevention involves maintaining your website software at the latest security patch version status for CMS, plugins and themes. Upgraded software versions eliminate security holes that would-be attackers could potentially use.

The Significance of Password Security Training

The continued popularity of ‘123456’ as a password, as shown in the NordPass report, exposes a significant vulnerability in online security, revealing a dangerous and ongoing reliance on weak credentials.

Cultivate a security-conscious workforce by providing comprehensive training on password security risks, including the dangers of easily guessed credentials and insecure storage.

Implement and enforce robust password policies that favour lengthy passphrases while discouraging incremental password changes and mandating regular password updates. Furthermore, create a protocol for immediate account deactivation, shared password updates upon employee departures, and blocking commonly predictable passwords, including those related to the organisation.

Wrapping Up

A combination of strong encryption policies, authentication constraints, and proactive security monitoring minimises the persistent threat of brute force attacks. Intensifying your security measures can defend against future system breaches that can trigger costly network disruptions. 

Crazy Domains enables you access to comprehensive website protection solutions to create a secure infrastructure for your needs.

Our Site Protection solution actively detects hacker-accessible malware and vulnerabilities before they harm data security, website structure, customer health and cause search engine blacklisting. Our daily vulnerability scans support quick resolution of threats so you can protect your online reputation.

Why why wait? Head over to our site to secure your website now!