Web hosting is the foundation of your website, so security should be everybody’s top priority with an online presence. If it's not protected by strong security measures, then I can be vulnerable to cyber threats. A secure web hosting environment keeps your website running smoothly, your data protected, and your business reputation strong.

One trending and common web hosting threat is brute force attacks. In these attacks, hackers try every possible way to detect your password by guessing your personal information, such as your username, birthday, and weak numbers like 123, 1234, and so many others. If successful, they can gain unauthorized access to your server and steal all the personal or sensitive data, disrupting your site. To keep your web hosting safe, you must act against these threats. 

What is a Brute Force Attack?

In a brute force attack, hackers try to steal all the sensitive information from your website by guessing your password in every possible way. They basically target weak, easily guessable passwords that hold simple numbers, common words, or personal information.

So it is advisable to use a more complicated password, the hacker will take a longer time to crack it. Moreover, hackers use advanced tools to try many passwords very quickly. That's why it's important to use a strong password to protect your accounts and data. 

Watch Out! The Many Faces of Brute Force Attacks

Hackers use different tactics to try to crack passwords. Here are the most popular methods:

• Simple Brute Force Attack

This one is a basic form, and a hacker tries every possible combination of characters for a password. This process is time-consuming, especially if the password is long and complex, but it can be effective for websites that use weak or simple passwords.

• Dictionary Attack

In dictionary attacks, hackers use a list of the most commonly used passwords, like birthdays, series of numbers, last digits of mobile numbers, etc. This method is faster for hackers to guess your password, especially if you have used a weak one.

• Hybrid Attack

In this attack, the hacker applies both strategy brute force and dictionary attacks at the same time. It starts with any common dictionary words and then number series like 123, 1234, symbols, and other variations as well. This method can crack some complex passwords.

• Reverse Brute Force Attack

Hackers use common passwords like '123456' to try to break into many different accounts. This is a problem if people use weak or easily guessed passwords.

• Credential Stuffing

Hackers use the same login details from your other websites and use that same password on your multiple sites. If you use the same passwords for different sites, then it is very easy for hackers to get access to all your accounts.

• Mask Attack

A mask attack is a more targeted brute force attack. Hackers use information about the password's structure like the password must contain 8 characters with an upper letter and a special character. This strategy is more guessable, which makes it faster for them to crack the password.

Panicked? Check for These "Brute Force Attack" Signs!

• Increased Server Load:

If suddenly your website starts running slowly, especially during periods of no activity, it can be a sign of a brute-force attack. Always keep an eye on your server’s performance and take immediate action if you spot any unusual spikes.

• Frequent Login Failures:

If there is a sudden increase in failed logins from different IP addresses, that can also be a sign of a brute-force attack. Check for any unusual login activity.

• Slow Website Performance:

These attacks can also cause your website to slow down or stop working altogether. If your clients are complaining about slow page load times or facing difficulty while accessing accounts, then it could be a sign of an attack.

• Suspicious Traffic:

Check your website's traffic for any strange activity, like someone repeatedly trying to access it from the same place or unexpected locations. This could be a sign that your website is under attack.

• Security Alerts:

Your security software or web hosting provider may warn you if they detect unusual activity. Pay attention to these warnings to catch a brute-force attack early on.

5 Steps to Prevent Brute Force Attacks

Now, you might want to safeguard your website from cyberattacks, right? Try these simple steps to help defend against brute-force attacks.

Strong, Unique Passwords

• While creating a password, always try to use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters as well.

• Avoid using easily guessable passwords like numbers in sequence, birthdays, last digits of contact numbers, etc.

• Try to get help from a password manager who will help you to generate and store strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts.

Two-Factor Authentication

• Always add an extra layer of security to protect your account from any attack. This one requires a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone or email. 

• For extra protection, consider using an authenticator app.

Regular Password Changes

• Keep updating your old password to reduce the risk of compromise.

• Don't make simple changes to your password, such as adding a number. Try to make it more complex.

Web Application Firewall

• Web application firewalls provide extra security by blocking malicious traffic, including brute force attacks, by filtering any unauthorized incoming requests.

• Always choose a reliable web application firewall that offers extra protection and regular updates as well.

Intrusion Detection System

• An intrusive detection system will keep an eye on your network traffic to detect any suspicious activity. If someone is trying to log in to your account on repeat, will you get notified?

• Set up alerts to let you know if there's any potential threat.

Tools and Resources for Protecting Against Brute Force Attacks

·         Install security measures tools like Wordfence, Sucuri, or Cloudflare to make your website stronger against any cyberattacks.

·        Additionally, there are so many advanced techniques out there like bcrypt or Argon2. Try to implement them to securely store your password.

·         Set limits on login attempts and block and block instantly harmful IP addresses to protect your website.

Can Net2Secure Block Brute Force Attacks? Let’s Take a Closer Look!

Net2Secure helps keep your website safe from hackers who try to guess your passwords (brute force attacks). They use powerful tools like firewalls to block unwanted traffic and limit the number of login attempts. They also constantly monitor your website for suspicious activity and can automatically block any threats they detect.

Net2Secure also offers extra security features like requiring you to use multiple ways to log in (like passwords and codes from your phone) and blocking access from specific IP addresses. With these layers of protection, you can rest easy knowing your website is secure from unauthorized access.

Brute force attacks can be a serious threat to your website's security. By understanding the strategies of hackers, like how they detect weak websites and attack them. You can take the right step on time and protect your website from hackers.

Remember, both technology and user awareness are important for strong security. By following these five tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of a successful attack and keep your website safe.