--- title: What is Password Spraying? description: Hackers are taking a shotgun approach to crack into accounts, using common passwords to try and strongarm their way in. Here is what you need to know. image: https://blog.seedspark.com/hubfs/pexels-anthony-shkraba-5475755.jpg --- [![logo-white-2020](https://blog.seedspark.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-white-2020.png?width=80&height=80&name=logo-white-2020.png "logo-white-2020")](https://seedspark.com/) [![logo-square](https://blog.seedspark.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-square.png?width=55&height=54&name=logo-square.png "logo-square")](https://seedspark.com/) [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1546797/3ad3da3a-9602-4c46-afb0-274659a1f959.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1546797/3ad3da3a-9602-4c46-afb0-274659a1f959) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/what-is-password-spraying&title=What%20is%20Password%20Spraying?&description=Hackers%20are%20taking%20a%20shotgun%20approach%20to%20crack%20into%20accounts,%20using%20common%20passwords%20to%20try%20and%20strongarm%20their%20way%20in.%20Here%20is%20what%20you%20need%20to%20know.) - [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/what-is-password-spraying&text=What%20is%20Password%20Spraying?%20-%20https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/what-is-password-spraying) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/what-is-password-spraying&title=What%20is%20Password%20Spraying?&summary=Hackers%20are%20taking%20a%20shotgun%20approach%20to%20crack%20into%20accounts,%20using%20common%20passwords%20to%20try%20and%20strongarm%20their%20way%20in.%20Here%20is%20what%20you%20need%20to%20know.) 10 November 2021 Wednesday # What is Password Spraying? By [Samuel Adams](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/author/samuel-adams) In: [cybersecurity](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/topic/cybersecurity) Hackers are constantly testing new strategies in an effort to gain access to user accounts, but password spraying is becoming a much more common tactic. Rather than relying on specific passwords obtained in data breaches, password spraying is the practice of taking a "shotgun approach" to login attempts, using commonly used passwords across a variety of accounts with the hopes that at least one or two of them will work. > 67 percent of all Americans use the same password for different online accounts. While one hacked account is bad enough, the percentage of people using the same password across multiple accounts means that one successful login will likely lead to more, compromising data across a wide variety of networks. No defense method is completely secure, there are several important steps that every used should take to secure their accounts online.  ### Create a Secure Password With 24% of Americans having used passwords like "password" and "qwerty" to secure their accounts, it's time to get back to the basics and focus on creating stronger, more secure passwords that are unique to each account. If you're continuing to rely on passwords, it's an even better practice to use a string of words and characters known as a passphrase. This adds a deeper layer of protection that can help keep your account secure.   ### Use a Password Manager Password managers take the need to memorize hundreds of passwords out of the equation. Rather than relying on a notepad or note app for, many password managers on the market today create incredibly secure randomly generated passwords across every account, providing the user access through a central hub that is secured by MFA (more on that in a second). With only one secure password to remember, users are able to add the strongest level of security to every account while also simplifying the process of keeping track of login data. SeedSpark partners with LastPass to deliver our team and our clients an industry-leading password management tool, making data management and password security simpler than ever before. ### Enable Multifactor Authentication Multifactor Authentication (MFA) continues to increase security in the world of tech. While it's not impenetrable, MFA requires a user to confirm their login from a secondary device - a step that immediately takes away the worry of a remote login from a hacker locking the real user out completely. Social engineering attacks have evolved in an attempt to trick users into sharing their MFA codes in fake "support" scams, but MFA remains one of the foundational defenses against an attack when a user's login information has been obtained from a data breach.  --- Practicing good password hygiene and making the most of tools like MFA and password managers are important steps that every user should take to secure their accounts. New data breaches, social engineering strategies, and attacks are coming every day, but users are able to protect their accounts and their data by learning about the latest attacks, preparing your security measures, and staying vigilant online. SeedSpark is proud to partner with small- and medium-sized businesses to deliver cybersecurity solutions ranging from network security and email monitoring to cybersecurity training and password management.[ Click here to learn more about SeedSpark Cybersecurity and our services.](https://seedspark.com/services/cyber-security/) Interested in getting in touch with our team? Let's talk! Click the button below to share your information and a member of our team will be in touch for a free 30-minute technology assessment.  [![Learn More About SeedSpark](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1546797/cad81c6e-ccd9-491e-a30b-32a62c7789c8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1546797/cad81c6e-ccd9-491e-a30b-32a62c7789c8) **Tags:** [cybersecurity](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/topic/cybersecurity) Share: - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/what-is-password-spraying&title=What%20is%20Password%20Spraying?&description=Hackers%20are%20taking%20a%20shotgun%20approach%20to%20crack%20into%20accounts,%20using%20common%20passwords%20to%20try%20and%20strongarm%20their%20way%20in.%20Here%20is%20what%20you%20need%20to%20know.) - [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/what-is-password-spraying&text=What%20is%20Password%20Spraying?%20-%20https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/what-is-password-spraying) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/what-is-password-spraying&title=What%20is%20Password%20Spraying?&summary=Hackers%20are%20taking%20a%20shotgun%20approach%20to%20crack%20into%20accounts,%20using%20common%20passwords%20to%20try%20and%20strongarm%20their%20way%20in.%20Here%20is%20what%20you%20need%20to%20know.) ### Written by [Samuel Adams](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/author/samuel-adams) As a lifelong fan of technology, Sam has always had a deep interest in learning about the latest innovations and how they are revolutionizing the worlds of business, marketing, and entertainment. As Social Media and Content Specialist at SeedSpark, he spends time chasing the newest trends and breakthroughs pushing the digital transformation in our personal and professional lives. - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-adams-717b42147/) PREVIOUS POST [** Cybersecurity Tips to Stay Safe During the Holiday Season ](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/holiday-cybersecurity-tips) [**](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/what-is-password-spraying#top) Next Post [Tech to Help You Save Time During the Holiday Season **](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/time-saving-holiday-tech) [Content Title](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/what-is-password-spraying#) Description ### Search ### Recent Posts [ Building a Resilient Business: Strategies for Navigating Economic Uncertainty ](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/building-a-resilient-business-strategies-for-navigating-economic-uncertainty) [Chad Jenkins](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/author/chad-jenkins) Feb 1, 2024 [ Harnessing Data for Business Success: A Comprehensive Guide to Data-Driven Decision-Making ](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/harnessing-data-for-business-success-a-comprehensive-guide-to-data-driven-decision-making) [Chad Jenkins](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/author/chad-jenkins) Jan 8, 2024 [ Top Business Trends of 2024: Strategies for Growth and Success ](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/top-business-trends-of-2024-strategies-for-growth-and-success) [Chad Jenkins](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/author/chad-jenkins) Jan 4, 2024 [ Empowering Organizations with CISA's Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2023 Toolkit ](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/empowering-organizations-with-cisas-cybersecurity-awareness-month-2023-toolkit) [Patrick Kinsley](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/author/patrick-kinsley) Oct 26, 2023 [ Four Essential Steps to Enhance Your Online Safety ](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/four-essential-steps-to-enhance-your-online-safety) [Patrick Kinsley](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/author/patrick-kinsley) Oct 19, 2023 ### Popular Posts [ The 8 Best Productivity Tools Included with Microsoft 365 ](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/meet_office365) [Samuel Adams](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/author/samuel-adams) - Apr 21, 2021 [ Bots Are Stealing MFA Codes and Accessing Accounts - The New Cyber Threat in 2021 ](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/mfa-code-stealing) [Samuel Adams](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/author/samuel-adams) - Nov 3, 2021 [ What is Windows 11 S Mode and Should You Use It? ](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/windows11-smode) [Samuel Adams](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/author/samuel-adams) - Sep 17, 2021 [ Alternatives to Using SMS for 2-factor Authentication ](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/alternatives-to-using-sms-for-2-factor-authentication) [Robert Griffin](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/author/robert-griffin) - Mar 9, 2023 [ How to Use Shifts in Microsoft Teams for Your Organization ](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/shifts_microsoft_teams) [Samuel Adams](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/author/samuel-adams) - Jul 2, 2020 ## Related Post - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/empowering-organizations-with-cisas-cybersecurity-awareness-month-2023-toolkit&title=Empowering%20Organizations%20with%20CISA's%20Cybersecurity%20Awareness%20Month%202023%20Toolkit&description=With%20the%20end%20of%20October%20just%20around%20the%20corner,%20that%20also%20means%20it%20is%20the%20end%20of%20Cybersecurity%20Awareness%20Month.%20The%20Cybersecurity%20and%20Infrastructure%20Security%20Agency%20(CISA)%20has%20taken%20a%20significant%20step%20in%20this%20direction%20by%20unveiling%20the%20Cybersecurity%20Awareness%20Month%202023%20Toolkit.) - [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/empowering-organizations-with-cisas-cybersecurity-awareness-month-2023-toolkit&text=Empowering%20Organizations%20with%20CISA's%20Cybersecurity%20Awareness%20Month%202023%20Toolkit%20-%20https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/empowering-organizations-with-cisas-cybersecurity-awareness-month-2023-toolkit) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/empowering-organizations-with-cisas-cybersecurity-awareness-month-2023-toolkit&title=Empowering%20Organizations%20with%20CISA's%20Cybersecurity%20Awareness%20Month%202023%20Toolkit&summary=With%20the%20end%20of%20October%20just%20around%20the%20corner,%20that%20also%20means%20it%20is%20the%20end%20of%20Cybersecurity%20Awareness%20Month.%20The%20Cybersecurity%20and%20Infrastructure%20Security%20Agency%20(CISA)%20has%20taken%20a%20significant%20step%20in%20this%20direction%20by%20unveiling%20the%20Cybersecurity%20Awareness%20Month%202023%20Toolkit.) ## [Empowering Organizations with CISA's Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2023 Toolkit](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/empowering-organizations-with-cisas-cybersecurity-awareness-month-2023-toolkit) With the end of October just around the corner, that also means it is the end of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. While the month might soon be over, cybersecurity issues and threats most certainly are not. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in partnership with the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), has taken a significant step in this direction by unveiling the Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2023 Toolkit. This comprehensive resource is designed to empower organizations, IT professionals, and individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complex world of cyber threats.   By [Patrick Kinsley](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/author/patrick-kinsley) In: [Technology](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/topic/technology) [**](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/empowering-organizations-with-cisas-cybersecurity-awareness-month-2023-toolkit) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/four-essential-steps-to-enhance-your-online-safety&title=Four%20Essential%20Steps%20to%20Enhance%20Your%20Online%20Safety&description=Whether%20you're%20an%20individual%20looking%20to%20protect%20your%20personal%20data%20or%20an%20IT%20professional%20tasked%20with%20safeguarding%20company%20information,%20there%20are%20fundamental%20steps%20you%20can%20take%20to%20enhance%20online%20safety.) - [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/four-essential-steps-to-enhance-your-online-safety&text=Four%20Essential%20Steps%20to%20Enhance%20Your%20Online%20Safety%20-%20https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/four-essential-steps-to-enhance-your-online-safety) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/four-essential-steps-to-enhance-your-online-safety&title=Four%20Essential%20Steps%20to%20Enhance%20Your%20Online%20Safety&summary=Whether%20you're%20an%20individual%20looking%20to%20protect%20your%20personal%20data%20or%20an%20IT%20professional%20tasked%20with%20safeguarding%20company%20information,%20there%20are%20fundamental%20steps%20you%20can%20take%20to%20enhance%20online%20safety.) ## [Four Essential Steps to Enhance Your Online Safety](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/four-essential-steps-to-enhance-your-online-safety) As cyber threats continue to evolve, both individuals and businesses must be proactive in their approach to cybersecurity. Whether you're an individual looking to protect your personal data or an IT professional tasked with safeguarding company information, there are fundamental steps you can take to enhance online safety. Here are four essential steps to consider:   By [Patrick Kinsley](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/author/patrick-kinsley) In: [Technology](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/topic/technology) [**](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/four-essential-steps-to-enhance-your-online-safety) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/secure-our-world-the-new-mantra-for-cybersecurity-in-2023&title=Secure%20Our%20World:%20The%20New%20Mantra%20for%20Cybersecurity%20in%202023%20and%20Beyond&description=As%20cyber%20threats%20continue%20to%20evolve,%20so%20must%20our%20approach%20to%20safeguarding%20our%20digital%20realm.%20Enter) - [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/secure-our-world-the-new-mantra-for-cybersecurity-in-2023&text=Secure%20Our%20World:%20The%20New%20Mantra%20for%20Cybersecurity%20in%202023%20and%20Beyond%20-%20https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/secure-our-world-the-new-mantra-for-cybersecurity-in-2023) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/secure-our-world-the-new-mantra-for-cybersecurity-in-2023&title=Secure%20Our%20World:%20The%20New%20Mantra%20for%20Cybersecurity%20in%202023%20and%20Beyond&summary=As%20cyber%20threats%20continue%20to%20evolve,%20so%20must%20our%20approach%20to%20safeguarding%20our%20digital%20realm.%20Enter) ## [Secure Our World: The New Mantra for Cybersecurity in 2023 and Beyond](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/secure-our-world-the-new-mantra-for-cybersecurity-in-2023) As cyber threats continue to evolve, so must our approach to safeguarding our digital realm. Enter "Secure Our World" – the groundbreaking cybersecurity awareness program launched by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). As we delve into 2023 and look towards the future, this initiative promises to redefine our understanding and approach to cybersecurity.   By [Patrick Kinsley](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/author/patrick-kinsley) In: [Technology](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/topic/technology) [**](https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/secure-our-world-the-new-mantra-for-cybersecurity-in-2023) ## Growth Is Just One Click Away Want to chat? Just share some project details and a member of our sales team will be in touch to learn more about your vision and how we can help!   ##### How can we grow together? [![Call Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1546797/e8917216-677b-4754-8a92-11da535e5577.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1546797/e8917216-677b-4754-8a92-11da535e5577) ## Join Our Newsletter ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Samuel Adams", "url" : "https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/author/samuel-adams" }, "dateModified" : "2021-11-10T16:21:34.568Z", "datePublished" : "2021-11-10T16:02:08.000Z", "headline" : "What is Password Spraying?", "image" : [ "https://blog.seedspark.com/hubfs/pexels-anthony-shkraba-5475755.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.seedspark.com/blog/what-is-password-spraying", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.seedspark.com/hubfs/SS_Logo_R_Blue_Horizontal.svg" }, "name" : "SeedSpark" } } ```