brute-force attack

[ broot-fawrs uh-tak ]

/ ˈbrutˈfɔrs əˌtæk /

noun

a computer hacking technique in which every possible combination of characters is tried until the sought-after password or encryption key is found: A malicious hacker may resort to a brute-force attack to gain entry to your account.

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Origin of brute-force attack

First recorded in 2000–05

Words nearby brute-force attack

brutalism, brutality, brutalize, brute, brute force, brute-force attack, brutify, brutish, brutus, brutus is an honorable man, brux