In cybersecurity, what is a “brute force attack”?

A brute force attack is a method used to gain unauthorized access to a system or account by systematically trying all possible combinations of passwords until the correct one is found. This attack relies on the automating capabilities of software to attempt countless combinations in a short amount of time, which can be effective against poorly secured systems where the password length and complexity do not provide adequate defenses.

The other methods described in the options involve different attack vectors. Exploiting software flaws refers to attacks that take advantage of vulnerabilities in software to gain access, while social engineering focuses on manipulating individuals into divulging sensitive information. On the other hand, using malware typically involves deploying harmful software to disrupt or compromise systems rather than directly targeting passwords. All of these alternatives highlight different tactics within cybersecurity that do not align with the systematic guessing method characteristic of brute force attacks.