Glossary Entry: Brute Force
Quick Definition
This refers to using extremely stupid means of bypassing protection of some type, usually passwords. Typically, this means trying every possible combination of inputs until you happen to reach the correct sequence.
For example, if the password is "123", then you could just count:
000...
001...
002...
003...
... some time later ...
120...
121...
122...
123... and you're in!
Using this sort of technique to break through a lock is very time consuming and it's usually not worth the effort. But, that's if you're doing it by hand. Computers can try MILLIONS of passwords in just seconds.
To prevent brute forcing, most places will lock down accounts after too many incorrect guesses are made in a given time span. Game developers rarely think to do this however, making it possible to solve puzzles in video games using this method -- if you have the time and energy to do it, anyway.
For example, if the password is "123", then you could just count:
000...
001...
002...
003...
... some time later ...
120...
121...
122...
123... and you're in!
Using this sort of technique to break through a lock is very time consuming and it's usually not worth the effort. But, that's if you're doing it by hand. Computers can try MILLIONS of passwords in just seconds.
To prevent brute forcing, most places will lock down accounts after too many incorrect guesses are made in a given time span. Game developers rarely think to do this however, making it possible to solve puzzles in video games using this method -- if you have the time and energy to do it, anyway.
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