What is a brute force attack?

A brute force attack is characterized as a method used to gain unauthorized access by systematically guessing passwords. This technique involves an automated program attempting a large number of password combinations until the correct one is found. It relies on the computational power of modern machines to try a vast array of potential passwords very quickly, making it a straightforward yet often effective technique for breaching secure systems.

This method is commonly employed against systems that have weak or easily guessable passwords, as the fundamental goal is to gain access through trial and error. Once access is obtained, the attacker can exploit the system, steal information, or carry out other malicious activities.

In contrast, the other options provided describe different types of security threats or attacks that do not align with the definition of brute force attacks. Decrypting data without any password involves different techniques altogether, denial-of-service attacks focus on disrupting services rather than gaining unauthorized access, and using malware to access a network constitutes a different method of intrusion that relies on malicious software rather than password guessing.