What type of attack involves attempting a series of password guesses with minor variations?

A brute force attack is characterized by systematically trying a variety of passwords or encryption keys until the correct one is discovered. This method involves making incremental changes to the password guesses, which may include variations such as modifying a single character, adding special characters, or changing the case of letters. The approach is based on the assumption that even with numerous potential combinations, the correct password can eventually be found through persistence and computing power.

In contrast, phishing attacks focus on tricking individuals into revealing sensitive information through deceitful techniques, often impersonating trusted entities. Man-in-the-middle attacks involve intercepting and potentially altering communication between two parties without their knowledge. SQL injection is a technique used to exploit vulnerabilities in applications by injecting malicious SQL statements into queries, affecting database operations. Each of these types of attacks varies significantly in method and purpose, which is why brute force specifically stands out for its systematic approach to password cracking.