Are you noticing suspicious login failures across multiple user accounts? You might be facing a password spraying attack — a stealthy brute-force technique cybercriminals use to break into systems by testing common passwords across many users.
Unlike traditional brute-force attacks that target a single account with many password attempts, password spraying flips the script: it tries a few common passwords across many accounts to stay under lockout thresholds and avoid detection.
According to Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report, 86% of breaches involved stolen credentials, phishing, or human error — making password spraying a persistent threat vector.
This attack targets businesses of all sizes — especially those with weak password policies or no MFA. Once inside, attackers can steal sensitive data, deploy malware, or escalate access across your organization.
This guide explains how password spraying works, provides some examples, identifies signs of the attack, and suggests the right ways to prevent it.
Password spraying is a type of brute force attack where hackers try to use common passwords within multiple accounts rather than guessing multiple passwords for a single system.
Following such a technique helps hackers avoid detection since several security systems only trigger alerts after a certain number of failed attempts on a single account.
Hackers rely more on the fact that most of the users still use weak passwords like “password123” or “1234567890”, which is actually true, right? This is what makes it easier for hackers to get access to your systems. Once the attacker gets into your account, they compromise entire systems or launch further attacks.
Businesses or government agencies with weak password policies suffer a lot from such password spraying attacks. The best way to avoid such consequences is to automate password rotation. Just reset and randomize your passwords for your privileged accounts.
Organizations with poor password hygiene, no MFA, or outdated security practices are especially vulnerable. A single weak credential can expose an entire network to data breaches and compliance failures.
Pro tip: One of the most effective defenses against password spraying is automated password rotation. By regularly resetting and randomizing passwords — especially for privileged accounts — you dramatically reduce the chances of compromise.
Prevent Unauthorized Access Before It’s Too Late
Weak passwords open doors to cyber threats. Securden enforces strong password policies that hackers can’t crack.
Password spraying follows a low-and-slow approach that helps attackers bypass standard security measures. Instead of aggressively guessing passwords for one account, they try a few common passwords across many usernames, avoiding detection by staying under lockout thresholds.
Learn how this credential-based attack works:
1. Scout for Target Accounts
Hackers do not start blind. They dig through company websites and leaked databases to collect information like usernames and email addresses - often from company directories, social media, LinkedIn, or past data breaches. The more information attackers find, the bigger their target list.
2. Compiling of Weak Passwords
Most people still use predictable passwords, like "Password123" or "Qwerty@123.” Hackers compile a list of passwords that are easy to guess and commonly used by users.
3. Test Passwords Without Raising Red Flags
Instead of bombarding a single account (which could cause a lockout), attackers test one password across multiple accounts. This rotation helps them avoid detection by intrusion detection systems (IDS) or account lockout policies.
4. Gain Access to Vulnerable Accounts
If any of your accounts uses a default password that is easy to predict, the attackers gain access to your account. In such a situation, they can steal and misuse your sensitive data or escalate their attack.
5. Use Stolen Credentials for Larger Attacks
Getting access to one account is never an end goal. Hackers carry out various activities with the access, which includes installing malware or exfiltrating data. Not just this, they can also use compromised credentials to infiltrate other user accounts within the organization.
This is how password spraying attacks work when businesses fail to have strong password policies or implement extra layers of security.
Cybercriminal uses various methods to get access to your accounts, but which are the common methods? They are password spraying, brute force attacks, and credential stuffing. These methods do share similarities but are operated differently and require different defense strategies. Let’s have an overview of all these methods.
| Attack Type |
Target |
How It Works |
Success Rate |
Detection Difficulty |
| Password Spraying |
Multiple accounts |
Tries a few passwords that are common across many users |
Moderate |
Hard to detect due to low login attempts per user |
| Brute Force Attack |
Single account |
Tries every possible password combination |
Low (if strong passwords are used) |
Easier to detect due to rapid login attempts |
| Credential Stuffing |
Multiple accounts |
Uses stolen username-password pairs from data breaches |
High (if passwords are reused) |
Moderate; relies on breached credentials |
Which attack is more dangerous?
- Brute force attacks are less effective because of account lockout mechanisms that prevent repeated login attempts.
- Credential stuffing is a major threat since most users reuse passwords for multiple numbers of sites.
- Password spraying is a bit difficult to identify because attackers test a single password with numerous accounts.
These differences make businesses and end users implement targeted security measures to defend against these types of attacks.
Quick Tip: Use an enterprise password manager like Securden to detect unusual login attempts, rotate credentials regularly, and block attacks before they escalate.
To avoid detection, attackers use password spraying. But certain patterns help detect an ongoing password spraying attack. If you recognize these signs earlier, it will surely help you prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. Here are a few signs:
1. Multiple Failed Logins Across Different Accounts
If users experience multiple failed login attempts within a short period, it means attackers might be testing passwords across accounts. So, identifying such a sign can help you stay active to avoid security-related risks.
2. Unusual Login Locations and Times
What indicates an ongoing attack is unexpected login attempts by an unknown user from different geographic locations. Also, it's critical when these attacks occur outside regular business hours. The attackers use global botnets to automate login attempts from different regions, which makes detection harder.
3. Sudden Increase in Account Lockouts
When you notice a spike in the locked accounts, it's a sign that someone is making password-spraying attempts by repeatedly trying incorrect passwords to operate your system. Many businesses set lockout policies after a high number of failed attempts, which can unintentionally signal that an attack is underway.
4. Failed Logins Across Multiple Services
If failed login attempts are fewer and for a single system, then the chances of attack are less. But when it happens across different services like email, cloud applications, and VPNs, then this indicates a coordinated attack. Attackers use the same password to try to access various platforms linked to an organization.
5. Security Alerts and Anomalies
SIEM tools and security software may flag suspicious authentication attempts. This highlights login spikes or unauthorized access patterns. Ignoring such alerts leads you to compromised accounts and data breaches.
6. Suspicious Account Activity
The most common step attackers carry when getting access to the system is to make changes like modifying the email forwarding rules or updating security settings. These modifications help them maintain access while avoiding detection, and this is where you get the sign that there might be an ongoing attack.
Take Control of Password Security Across Your Business
Securden prevents password reuse, implements MFA, and strengthens your cybersecurity defenses.
Check out the most severe examples of password spraying attacks that have led businesses to security breaches.
Here are the most severe incidents that highlight the impact of successful password spraying attacks and causes.
| Attack |
Year |
Target |
Impact |
Cause |
| Citrix Data Breach |
2019 |
Citrix |
6TB of sensitive corporate data stolen |
Weak authentication policies |
| Microsoft 365 Attack |
2024-2025 |
Microsoft 365 enterprise accounts |
Over 130,000 compromised devices used in large-scale attacks |
Chinese-affiliated botnet conducting non-interactive password spraying |
| Dunkin' Donuts Breach |
2018-2019 |
Dunkin' Donuts Rewards Program |
Thousands of customer accounts were accessed and misused |
Credential reuse and weak authentication |
1. Citrix Data Breach (2019)
Hackers exploited weak credentials and infiltrated Citrix’s internal network. The breach led to the exposure of 6 terabytes of sensitive corporate data. These data include customer records, internal emails, and confidential project files. Investigators revealed the weak authentication policies of Citrix, which made it easier for attackers to get access.
Source: ZDNet
2. Microsoft Office 365 Incidents (2024-25)
A botnet linked with a Chinese threat group conducted large-scale password spraying attacks on Microsoft 365 accounts. The researchers at SecurityScorecard found that 13,000 devices were compromised. They targeted enterprise accounts with non-interactive sign-ins. It is a method that helps bypass MFA and security controls.
Source: Forbes
3. Dunkin’ Donuts Credential Stuffing Attack (2018-19)
Attackers compromised thousands of Dunkin' Donuts DD Perks Rewards accounts. Hackers accessed their customer accounts, used stored funds, and even sold login details on the dark web. The breach resulted from credential reuse, in which attackers took advantage of weak authentication practices.
Source: Cyber Security Hub
Here are the insightful tips that help businesses prevent password spraying attacks.
1. Enforce Strong and Unique Password Policies
As we discussed, a few commonly used passwords are the first targets for attackers. Implementation of unique and complex passwords for each account reduces the chances of unauthorized access.
2. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Adding a multi-factor authentication requires users to verify their identity with a second factor like an OTP or biometric scan. Even though attackers have guessed the entire password, it becomes challenging for them to access the account without the second factor.
3. Identify Unusual Login Attempts with Security Tools
You need to monitor the login patterns using security tools that help you detect password spraying attacks by identifying suspicious activities like multiple failed logins from different regions. These tools trigger alerts or block access when such unusual login activity is detected.
4. Strengthen Lockout and Rate-Limiting Policies
Setting limits on failed login attempts helps your business prevent attackers from testing several passwords on various accounts. You just need to implement cooldown periods or require CAPTCHA verification to slow down the attacks.
5. Encourage Employees to Use a Password Manager
Implementing a reliable online password manager like Securden assists businesses and users in generating and storing strong passwords without the requirement to memorize them. This reduces the risk of reusing weak passwords within several accounts.
6. Regularly Update and Rotate Passwords
Password rotation practice is a must in such cases. Changing passwords in a defined period minimizes the risk of stolen credentials being used for long-term access. Businesses must implement password expiration policies to prompt regular updates or automated tools to ensure credentials are regularly updated.
7. Educate Employees on Password Security Best Practices
Human error is a major security vulnerability, which makes the awareness training important to carry out. Employees must learn to recognize phishing attempts and avoid sharing credentials.
As we know, password spraying attacks are still a major cyber security threat that targets weak authentication systems. Taking preventive measures strengthens their security posture, from implementing strong password policies to implementing multi-factor authentication and advanced password managers.
One such password manager is Securden.
Securden helps organizations shut the door on these threats with a robust privileged access management platform designed to eliminate weak credentials and detect intrusion attempts early.
Key features that help defend against password spraying:
- Automated password rotation to neutralize stolen or reused credentials
- Granular access controls that enforce least-privilege principles
- Real-time login monitoring and alerts to detect suspicious behavior
- Privileged account discovery to locate unmanaged or forgotten account
- Detailed audit logs and reports to support compliance and investigations
- Seamless MFA enforcement across all user access points
Whether you're a small business or a growing enterprise, Securden ensures your credentials are protected and your infrastructure remains resilient against evolving password-based attacks.
Ready to take control of password security? Book a demo and see how Securden can help.
