Password Spraying: The Silent Cyber Threat Targeting Your Business

When most people think of password-based cyberattacks, they imagine brute-force tactics—automated systems guessing passwords repeatedly until they crack the code. But there’s a more subtle, increasingly popular method making its way into organizations of all sizes: password spraying.

And unlike brute-force attacks, password spraying is designed to quietly sneak past your system’s protections—using weak, commonly known passwords and spreading them across large groups of user accounts to find just one point of entry.

So what is password spraying, how does it work, and what can you do to stop it? Let’s break it down.

What Is Password Spraying?
Password spraying is a type of cyberattack where hackers use a list of common passwords—like “Password1” or “123456”—and attempt to log in across many usernames in an organization.

Instead of repeatedly targeting one account (which would typically trigger a lockout), attackers try one password across hundreds or thousands of accounts, then wait before trying the next password. This “low and slow” approach avoids detection and lockouts—making it far harder to trace.

Why Password Spraying Works
Unfortunately, password spraying works because too many users reuse simple, predictable passwords. Studies show that over half of Americans only change their password when they forget it—and many default to passwords that are easy to remember (and just as easy to guess).

All it takes is one person using “Cowboys2024” or “Summer!” as their password, and an attacker can gain access—often to much more than just email.

The Real Risk to Your Business
Once inside, attackers don’t stop. They may:

• • Access internal systems
  • Move laterally across your network
  • Steal or encrypt data
  • Harvest more credentials
  • Launch ransomware or phishing campaignsPassword spraying can give cybercriminals a foot in the door—potentially compromising your business, your clients, and your reputation.

Signs You Might Be Under Attack
You don’t have to be a cybersecurity expert to spot suspicious behavior. Here are some warning signs:

• • Spike in failed login attempts across different users
  • Multiple locked accounts in a short timeframe
  • Login attempts using old or invalid usernames
  • Activity from unusual locations or IPs

Steps to Protect Your Organization
At Bland & Associates, we believe strong cybersecurity is part of strong business strategy. Here’s how we help clients defend against password spraying:

🔒 Enforce Strong Password Policies
Avoid easy-to-guess words, names, and sequences. Implement a password manager or generator to help employees create secure passwords.

🔐 Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Adding an extra verification step—like a phone code or fingerprint—makes stolen passwords useless.

📊 Monitor Login Activity
Use logging and alert systems to detect unusual spikes in failed logins or unfamiliar user behavior.

🛑 Block Common Passwords
If you use Microsoft Azure or Active Directory, enable banned password lists—customized for your region, industry, or company (e.g., “Huskers2024”).

🔁 Simulate Attacks & Run Pen Tests
Conduct regular password spraying simulations to test your defenses and find weaknesses before hackers do.

✅ Go Passwordless (When Possible)
Move toward biometric or token-based authentication for higher-risk accounts or internal systems.

Tools Like Varonis Can Help
For organizations seeking advanced detection and response capabilities, solutions like Varonis DatAlert are invaluable. Varonis monitors for:

• • Suspicious account activity
  • Abnormal access patterns
  • Rapid login attempts (a red flag for spraying)

It can even automatically respond to threats—locking users out or triggering password resets. Combined with Bland’s advisory support, this helps reduce investigation times and mitigate risk quickly.

Not sure where to start? We’re here to help.
Contact Bland & Associates for a cybersecurity readiness assessment or to discuss implementing stronger password protections across your organization.

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