What Is Password Spraying?

Tanya Wetson-Catt • 11 June 2025

Password spraying is a complex type of cyberattack that uses weak passwords to get into multiple user accounts without permission. Using the same password or a list of passwords that are often used on multiple accounts is what this method is all about. The goal is to get around common security measures like account lockouts.


Attacks that use a lot of passwords are very successful because they target the weakest link in cybersecurity, which is people and how they manage their passwords. This piece will explain how password spraying works, talk about how it's different from other brute-force attacks, and look at ways to find and stop it. We will also look at cases from real life and talk about how businesses can protect themselves from these threats.


What Is Password Spraying and How Does It Work?


A brute-force attack called "password spraying" tries to get into multiple accounts with the same password. Attackers can avoid account shutdown policies with this method. These policies are usually put in place to stop brute-force attacks that try to access a single account with multiple passwords. For password spraying to work, a lot of people need to use weak passwords that are easy to figure out.


Attackers often get lists of usernames from public directories or data leaks that have already happened. They then use the same passwords to try to log in to all of these accounts. Usually, the process is automated so that it can quickly try all possible pairs of username and password.


The attackers' plan is to pick a small group of common passwords that at least some people in the target company are likely to use. These passwords are usually taken from lists of common passwords that are available to the public, or they are based on information about the group, like the name or location of the company. Attackers lower their chances of being locked out while increasing their chances of successfully logging in by using the same set of passwords for multiple accounts.


A lot of people don't notice password spraying attacks because they don't cause as much suspicious behaviour as other types of brute-force attacks. The attack looks less dangerous because only one password is used at a time, so it might not set off any instant alarms. But if these attempts are made on multiple accounts, they can have a terrible effect if they are not properly tracked and dealt with.


Password spraying has become popular among hackers, even those working for the government, in recent years. Because it is so easy to do and works so well to get around security measures, it is a major threat to both personal and business data security. As cybersecurity improves, it will become more important to understand and stop password spraying threats.


In the next section, we’ll discuss how password spraying differs from other types of cyberattacks and explore strategies for its detection.


How Does Password Spraying Differ from Other Cyberattacks?


Password spraying is distinct from other brute-force attacks in its approach and execution. While traditional brute-force attacks focus on trying multiple passwords against a single account, password spraying uses a single password across multiple accounts. This difference allows attackers to avoid triggering account lockout policies, which are designed to protect against excessive login attempts on a single account.


Understanding Brute-Force Attacks


Brute-force attacks involve systematically trying all possible combinations of passwords to gain access to an account. These attacks are often resource-intensive and can be easily detected due to the high volume of login attempts on a single account.


Compare Credential Stuffing


Credential stuffing is another type of brute-force attack that involves using lists of stolen username and password combinations to attempt logins. Unlike password spraying, credential stuffing relies on previously compromised credentials rather than guessing common passwords.


The Stealthy Nature of Password Spraying


Password spraying attacks are stealthier than traditional brute-force attacks because they distribute attempts across many accounts, making them harder to detect. This stealthiness is a key factor in their effectiveness, as they can often go unnoticed until significant damage has been done.


In the next section, we’ll explore how organisations can detect and prevent these attacks.


5. Rootkit Malware


Rootkit malware is a program or collection of malicious software tools that give attackers remote access to and control over a computer or other system. Although rootkits have some legitimate uses, most are used to open a backdoor on victims’ systems to introduce malicious software or use the system for further network attacks.

Rootkits often attempt to prevent detection by deactivating endpoint antimalware and antivirus software. They can be installed during phishing attacks or through social engineering tactics, giving remote cybercriminals administrator access to the system. Once installed, a rootkit can install viruses, ransomware, keyloggers, or other types of malware, and even change system configurations to maintain stealth.


How Can Organisations Detect and Prevent Password Spraying Attacks?


Detecting password spraying attacks requires a proactive approach to monitoring and analysis. Organisations must implement robust security measures to identify suspicious activities early on. This includes monitoring for unusual login attempts, establishing baseline thresholds for failed logins, and using advanced security tools to detect patterns indicative of password spraying.


Implementing Strong Password Policies


Enforcing strong, unique passwords for all users is crucial in preventing password spraying attacks. Organisations should adopt guidelines that ensure passwords are complex, lengthy, and regularly updated. Tools like password managers can help users generate and securely store strong passwords.


Deploying Multi-Factor Authentication


Multi-factor authentication (MFA) significantly reduces the risk of unauthorised access by requiring additional verification steps beyond just a password. Implementing MFA across all user accounts, especially those accessing sensitive information, is essential for protecting against password spraying.


Conducting Regular Security Audits


Regular audits of authentication logs and security posture assessments can help identify vulnerabilities that could facilitate password spraying attacks. These audits should focus on detecting trends that automated tools might miss and ensuring that all security measures are up-to-date and effective.


In the next section, we’ll discuss additional strategies for protecting against these threats.


What Additional Measures Can Be Taken to Enhance Security?


Beyond the core strategies of strong passwords and MFA, organisations can take several additional steps to enhance their security posture against password spraying attacks. This includes configuring security settings to detect and respond to suspicious login attempts, educating users about password security, and implementing incident response plans.


Enhancing Login Detection


Organisations should set up detection systems for login attempts to multiple accounts from a single host over a short period. This can be a clear indicator of a password spraying attempt. Implementing stronger lockout policies that balance security with usability is also crucial.


Educating Users


User education plays a vital role in preventing password spraying attacks. Users should be informed about the risks of weak passwords and the importance of MFA. Regular training sessions can help reinforce best practices in password management and security awareness.


Incident Response Planning


Having a comprehensive incident response plan in place is essential for quickly responding to and mitigating the effects of a password spraying attack. This plan should include procedures for alerting users, changing passwords, and conducting thorough security audits.


Taking Action Against Password Spraying


Password spraying is a significant threat to cybersecurity that exploits weak passwords to gain unauthorised access to multiple accounts. Organisations must prioritise strong password policies, multi-factor authentication, and proactive monitoring to protect against these attacks. By understanding how password spraying works and implementing robust security measures, businesses can safeguard their data and systems from these sophisticated cyber threats.



To enhance your organisation's cybersecurity and protect against password spraying attacks, consider reaching out to us. We specialise in providing expert guidance and solutions to help you strengthen your security posture and ensure the integrity of your digital assets. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in securing your systems against evolving cyber threats.

Let's Talk Tech

More from our blog

Lost Without a Tech Plan? Create Your Small Business IT Roadmap for Explosive Growth

by Tanya Wetson-Catt • 29 October 2025
Do you ever feel like your technology setup grew without you really noticing? One day you had a laptop and a few software licenses, and now you’re juggling dozens of tools, some of which you don’t even remember signing up for. A recent SaaS management index found that small businesses with under 500 employees use, on average, 172 cloud-based apps. And many don’t have a formal IT department to keep it all straight. That’s a lot of moving parts. Without a plan, it’s easy for those parts to work against each other. Systems don’t talk, people improvise workarounds, and money gets spent in ways that don’t actually help the business grow. That’s where an IT roadmap comes in. Why a Small Business IT Roadmap Is No Longer Optional A few years back, most owners thought of IT as background support, quietly keeping the lights on. Today it’s front-and-centre in sales, service, marketing, and even reputation management. When the tech stalls, so does the business. The risk extends past downtime or slow responses to customers. It’s the steady drip of missed efficiency and untapped opportunity. Without a plan, small businesses often buy tools on impulse to solve urgent issues, only to find they clash with existing systems, blow up budgets, or duplicate something already paid for. Think about the ripple effects: · Security gaps that invite trouble. · Wasted spending on licenses nobody uses. · Systems that choke when growth takes off. · Customer delays that leave a poor impression. If that list feels uncomfortably familiar, you’re not alone. The real question isn’t whether to create an IT roadmap; it’s how fast you can build one that actually moves your business forward. How to Build a High-Impact IT Roadmap for Growth An IT roadmap is a dynamic plan that connects your business vision with the technology you choose and keeps both evolving together. Think of it as equal parts strategy and practicality. Start With Your Business Goals Before talking about hardware or software, decide what you’re aiming for: · Are you trying to streamline operations? · Shorten sales cycles? · Expand into new markets? These goals will steer every technological choice you make. Don’t keep it in the IT bubble, bring in voices from marketing, sales, operations, and finance. They’ll see needs and opportunities you might miss. When everyone understands the “why,” adoption of new tools is much smoother. Audit What You Already Have When was the last time you took inventory of your tech stack? An inventory is an honest look at what’s working, what’s not, and what’s gathering dust. You might discover you’re paying for two tools that do the same job, or that a critical application is three versions out of date. Sometimes the fix is as simple as training people to use an existing tool better. Other times, you’ll spot gaps that need to be filled sooner rather than later. Identify Technology Needs and Rank Them After your audit, you’ll have a messy wish list. Resist the urge to fix everything now. Ask: Which issues slow us down daily? A clunky CRM might outrank that fancy website refresh if it’s costing leads. Some projects bring ROI; others just remove frustration. Rank them with flexibility because priorities can shift quickly. You need to focus energy where it moves the needle most. Budget With the Full Picture in Mind It’s tempting to look at the purchase price of a new tool and stop there. However, the real cost includes implementation, training, maintenance, and sometimes even downtime during the transition. Ask yourself two things: · Can we afford it right now? · Can we afford not to have it? The second question often brings clarity. If a delay in upgrading means losing customers to faster competitors, the return on investment may justify the spend. Map Out the Rollout Even great tools can flop if they’re dropped into the business without a plan. Your implementation timeline should outline who’s responsible for what, key milestones, and how new tools will be tested before they go live. And don’t forget people: · How much training will staff need? · Will it happen before or after the launch? Reduce Risk and Choose Vendors Wisely Rolling out new tech has risks, such as compatibility snags, migration delays, and even staff pushback. Spotting these early is smart, but vendor choice matters just as much. A great tool isn’t great if support vanishes when you need it. Ask peers for feedback, read reviews, and test their responsiveness before signing. If they’re quick to help while courting you, there’s a better chance they’ll be there when something breaks. Make It a Habit to Review and Revise Your business changes, the market changes, and technology changes even faster. That’s why your IT roadmap should be a living document. Schedule a quarterly review to see what’s working, what’s outdated, and where new opportunities are emerging. These reviews also give you a natural checkpoint to measure return on investment and decide whether to keep, adjust, or replace certain tools. Skipping them means you’re back to making ad-hoc decisions, exactly what the roadmap was meant to prevent. Put Your IT Roadmap into Action for Long-Term Wins At its core, an IT roadmap is about connection: Linking your business goals, your technology, and your people so they work toward the same outcomes. Done well, it: · Keeps technology spending focused on what matters most. · Prevents redundancy and streamlines operations. · Improves the customer experience through better tools and integration. · Prepares you to adapt quickly when new technology or opportunities emerge. The payoff is a stronger competitive position and the ability to scale without tripping over your own systems. If you’ve been running without a plan, the good news is you can start small: Set a goal, take inventory, and map the first few steps. You don’t have to have everything perfect from day one. What matters is moving from reaction mode to intentional, strategic action. Every day without a roadmap is another day where your technology could be doing more for you, and even saving you from costly mistakes down the line.  Contact us to start building a future-ready IT roadmap that turns your technology from a patchwork of tools into a true growth engine for your business.

Stop Account Hacks: The Advanced Guide to Protecting Your Small Business Logins

by Tanya Wetson-Catt • 22 October 2025
Sometimes the first step in a cyberattack isn’t code. It’s a click. A single login involving one username and password can give an intruder a front-row seat to everything your business does online. For small and mid-sized companies, those credentials are often the easiest target. According to MasterCard , 46% of small businesses have dealt with a cyberattack, and almost half of all breaches involve stolen passwords. That’s not a statistic you want to see yourself in. This guide looks at how to make life much harder for would-be intruders. The aim isn’t to drown you in tech jargon. Instead, it’s to give IT-focused small businesses a playbook that moves past the basics and into practical, advanced measures you can start using now. Why Login Security Is Your First Line of Defence If someone asked what your most valuable business asset is, you might say your client list, your product designs, or maybe your brand reputation. But without the right login security, all of those can be taken in minutes. Industry surveys put the risk in sharp focus: 46% of small and medium-sized businesses have experienced a cyberattack. Of those, roughly one in five never recovered enough to stay open. The financial toll isn’t just the immediate clean-up, as the global average cost of a data breach is $4.4 million , and that number has been climbing. Credentials are especially tempting because they’re so portable. Hackers collect them through phishing emails, malware, or even breaches at unrelated companies. Those details end up on underground marketplaces where they can be bought for less than you’d spend on lunch. From there, an attacker doesn’t have to “hack” at all. They just sign in. Many small businesses already know this but struggle with execution. According to Mastercard, 73% of owners say getting employees to take security policies seriously is one of their biggest hurdles. That’s why the solution has to go beyond telling people to “use better passwords.”. Advanced Strategies to Lock Down Your Business Logins Good login security works in layers. The more hoops an attacker has to jump through, the less likely they are to make it to your sensitive data. 1. Strengthen Password and Authentication Policies If your company still allows short, predictable logins like “Winter2024” or reuses passwords across accounts, you’ve already given attackers a head start. Here’s what works better: Require unique, complex passwords for every account. Think 15+ characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Swap out traditional passwords for passphrases, strings of unrelated words that are easier for humans to remember but harder for machines to guess. Roll out a password manager so staff can store and auto-generate strong credentials without resorting to sticky notes or spreadsheets. Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) everywhere possible. Hardware tokens and authenticator apps are far more resilient than SMS codes. Check passwords against known breach lists and rotate them periodically. The important part? Apply the rules across the board. Leaving one “less important” account unprotected is like locking your front door but leaving the garage wide open. 2. Reduce Risk Through Access Control and Least Privilege The fewer keys in circulation, the fewer chances there are for one to be stolen. Not every employee or contractor needs full admin rights. Keep admin privileges limited to the smallest possible group. Separate super admin accounts from day-to-day logins and store them securely. Give third parties the bare minimum access they need, and revoke it the moment the work ends. That way, if an account is compromised, the damage is contained rather than catastrophic. 3. Secure Devices, Networks, and Browsers Your login policies won’t mean much if someone signs in from a compromised device or an open public network. Encrypt every company laptop and require strong passwords or biometric logins. Use mobile security apps, especially for staff who connect on the go. Lock down your Wi-Fi: Encryption on, SSID hidden, router password long and random. Keep firewalls active, both on-site and for remote workers. Turn on automatic updates for browsers, operating systems, and apps. Think of it like this: Even if an attacker gets a password, they still have to get past the locked and alarmed “building” your devices create. 4. Protect Email as a Common Attack Gateway Email is where a lot of credential theft begins. One convincing message, and an employee clicks a link they shouldn’t. To close that door: Enable advanced phishing and malware filtering. Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to make your domain harder to spoof. Train your team to verify unexpected requests. If “finance” emails to ask for a password reset, confirm it another way. 5. Build a Culture of Security Awareness Policies on paper don’t change habits. Ongoing, realistic training does. Run short, focused sessions on spotting phishing attempts, handling sensitive data, and using secure passwords. Share quick reminders in internal chats or during team meetings. Make security a shared responsibility, not just “the IT department’s problem.” 6. Plan for the Inevitable with Incident Response and Monitoring Even the best defences can be bypassed. The question is how fast you can respond. 1. Incident Response Plan: Define who does what, how to escalate, and how to communicate during a breach. 2. Vulnerability Scanning: Use tools that flag weaknesses before attackers find them. 3. Credential Monitoring: Watch for your accounts showing up in public breach dumps. 4. Regular Backups: Keep offsite or cloud backups of critical data and test that they actually work. Make Your Logins a Security Asset, Not a Weak Spot Login security can either be a liability or a strength. Left unchecked, it’s a soft target that makes the rest of your defences less effective. Done right, it becomes a barrier that forces attackers to look elsewhere. The steps above, from MFA to access control to a living, breathing incident plan, aren’t one-time fixes. Threats change, people change roles, and new tools arrive. The companies that stay safest are the ones that treat login security as an ongoing process, adjusting it as the environment shifts. You don’t have to do it all overnight. Start with the weakest link you can identify right now, maybe an old, shared admin password or a lack of MFA on your most sensitive systems and fix it. Then move to the next gap. Over time, those small improvements add up to a solid, layered defence. If you’re part of an IT business network or membership service, you’re not alone. Share strategies with peers, learn from incidents others have faced, and keep refining your approach.  Contact us today to find out how we can help you turn your login process into one of your strongest security assets.

How Smart IT Boosts Employee Morale and Keeps Your Best People

by Tanya Wetson-Catt • 15 October 2025
Picture someone in the middle of a presentation, with the room (or Zoom) fully engaged, when their laptop freezes. You can almost hear the collective groan. That tension sticks, and if it happens often, it doesn’t just derail a meeting. It chips away at how people feel about their jobs. That’s why IT isn’t just about servers, software, or “keeping the lights on” anymore. It’s about the day-to-day experience employees have every time they log in, click a link, or try to share a file. When those moments are smooth, morale lifts. When they’re not, it shows, both in productivity and in retention. The numbers are telling. Deloitte found that organisations with robust digital employee experiences see a 22% jump in engagement, and their people are four times more likely to stay. Similarly, Gallup shows that this higher employee engagement drives greater productivity and reduces turnover. So, the question becomes: If technology could be your secret weapon for keeping great people, how would you set it up? The Link Between Smart IT and Morale Digital employee experience (DEX) is just a fancy way of saying “the quality of every tech interaction your people have at work.” That covers hardware, software, and the IT processes in between. It’s not just whether a device turns on quickly. It’s also about how easy a tool is to use, how responsive IT support is when something breaks, and whether systems actually help people get work done. When those experiences are smooth, people can focus on their real jobs. When they’re clunky? Frustration sets in. Ivanti found that 57% of workers feel stressed by the number of tools they’re expected to juggle, and 62% feel overwhelmed learning new ones. That kind of low-level friction may seem minor, but over weeks or months, it quietly drains morale. Hybrid and remote work have raised the stakes. Without those quick hallway chats or casual desk visits, technology becomes the main bridge holding teams together. If it’s solid, people stay connected. If it’s shaky, relationships and collaboration start to fray. How Smart IT Builds a High-Morale, High-Retention Workforce Smart IT isn’t about buying every shiny new platform. It’s about shaping technology so it supports your people in ways they actually notice and appreciate. Here’s where it makes the biggest impact. 1. Make Reliability and Usability Non-Negotiable Ask yourself: How many minutes a day do your employees lose to slow-loading apps or glitchy systems? Those minutes add up. Devices and applications should be fast, well-configured, and dependable under real workloads. That means fewer VPN dropouts, fewer app crashes, and fewer “try turning it off and on again” moments. Usability matters just as much. A clean, intuitive interface lets employees focus on the task, not figuring out which button to click. When design is done well, technology almost disappears into the background, becoming a silent enabler instead of a daily obstacle. 2. Personalise the Employee Experience with AI Tech that treats everyone the same rarely works for everyone. AI can change that by shaping the experience around the person, not just the role. It can answer routine questions instantly, point people toward resources they’ll actually use, and recommend training that fits both their current work and where they want to go. Imagine a new project manager suddenly asked to move from Waterfall to Agile. Instead of hunting through endless documents, their dashboard quietly serves up a short crash course, sample boards, and a list of colleagues who’ve made the same switch. That kind of thoughtful support sends a clear message: “We see you, and we’re here to help,” and that’s a real boost for morale. 3. Strengthen Communication and Collaboration Strong morale thrives on strong connections. Tools like Teams, Slack, Zoom, and integrated project management platforms keep those connections alive, whether people are across the corridor or across time zones. The magic happens when systems actually talk to each other. If updating a task in your project tool automatically updates calendars and sends a Slack notification, you’ve just saved someone multiple manual steps. Spending less time switching between disconnected apps means more time for meaningful work and fewer moments of frustration. 4. Support Flexibility and Work-Life Balance Flexibility is one of the most powerful morale boosts modern IT can deliver. Being able to work from home, from a client site, or from a coffee shop when needed? That’s huge. However, it’s a double-edged sword. Without guardrails, “flexibility” can blur into burnout. Smart IT can help by letting people set status indicators, block focus time, or quiet notifications outside work hours. The goal isn’t just productivity anywhere but to make sure people can stop working, too. 5. Recognise and Reward Contributions Digitally Recognition is fuel, and tech can make it immediate and visible. A quick shout-out in a recognition platform after someone solves a customer issue might seem small, but it sticks. So does acting on employee feedback. When people see their input led to real changes, whether it’s a better tool or a smoother process, it reinforces trust. Over time, that’s what makes people want to stay. Turn Technology into a Morale-Boosting Advantage Many IT investments are justified in terms of efficiency, cost, or scalability. All important. However, they miss a bigger truth: The way employees experience technology is a core part of how they experience the company. If you’re looking at your own setup right now, here are a few quick angles: Ask before you act: Employees know what’s working and what’s driving them up the wall. Measure the human side: Uptime matters, but so do satisfaction scores and “how easy is this to use?” responses. Streamline don’t stack: Fewer tools that talk to each other beat a jumble of disconnected apps. Rollouts matter: Even the best tool can flop without context, training, and follow-up. Keep evolving: Needs shift. Review regularly. Smart IT is less about owning every tool under the sun and more about building an ecosystem that works together, works well, and works for people. Do that, and you get a team that’s engaged, capable, and genuinely glad to log in each day. So, here’s the last question: If your tech could be the reason people love working for you, what’s stopping you? Do you want to explore how better IT strategies can help you keep your best people? Contact us today to learn more.