Which activity involves attempting to discover passwords through various methods?

Password cracking is the process of attempting to discover or retrieve passwords by employing various techniques. This activity can involve using specialized software tools that automate the guessing of passwords or utilizing pre-existing password databases. The aim is to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, systems, or data by determining what the correct password is.

This method can include several tactics, such as dictionary attacks, where common passwords are tested first, or more sophisticated methods that analyze patterns in previously leaked passwords. The focus on identifying the correct password is what distinguishes password cracking from other password-related activities, such as credential stuffing or brute-force attacks.

Different from password cracking, activities like password sniffing involve capturing passwords as they are transmitted over networks, while credential stuffing relies on using stolen username and password combinations across multiple accounts. Brute-force attacking, while it can be a component of password cracking, specifically refers to systematically trying every possible combination until the correct password is found, which is a more specific technique within the broader category of password cracking. Thus, password cracking encompasses a wider array of methods aimed at password discovery.