# Dictionary Attack

A password-cracking method that tries every word in a precompiled list of common words and passwords.

**Dictionary attack[↗](/dictionary-attack)** is a password-cracking technique that systematically tries every word in a precompiled list, real words, common passwords, and known leaked passwords, rather than every possible character combination. It's much faster than a pure brute-force attack because it targets what people actually tend to choose.

Because so many people reuse predictable passwords, dictionary attacks succeed surprisingly often. Using a long, random, unique passphrase[↗](/passphrase) for each account, ideally generated and stored by a password manager[↗](/password-manager), makes this attack far less effective.