Brute-Force Attacks on Seed Phrases in Crypto

Brute-force attacks on seed phrases involve trying all possible word combinations to access a crypto wallet. Protect your wallet by using long, random seed phrases, storing them securely, and employing additional security measures

What is a Brute-Force Attack on Seed Phrases?

A brute-force attack on seed phrases involves attempting all possible combinations of recovery phrases to find the correct one and gain access to a cryptocurrency wallet. A seed phrase, also known as a recovery phrase, is a series of words used to restore a wallet and access cryptocurrency assets.
For example, if a wallet uses a 12-word recovery phrase (such as "apple banana cherry date egg fruit grape hat ice joke"), an attacker using brute-force would try all possible combinations of 12 words from a specific word list until they find the correct phrase.

Advanced Brute-Force Attacks on Seed Phrases

Brute-force attacks on seed phrases can be refined in several ways to increase the likelihood of success:

Dictionary Attacks:

Instead of trying all possible combinations from a random list of words, attackers use lists of popular or leaked words to reduce the number of phrases they need to try.

For example, a dictionary attack might test recovery phrases that have been leaked from previous attacks or commonly used phrases to find easier-to-guess recovery phrases.

Attacks with Additional Information:

Attackers might use supplementary information such as preferred word lists, commonly used words, or popular patterns to refine the brute-force process.
If a portion of the recovery phrase or specific characteristics are known, attackers can reduce the number of phrases they need to try.

Protection Methods Against Brute-Force Attacks on Seed Phrases

Use Long and Random Seed Phrases:

Employing long and randomly generated seed phrases from a large word list helps protect the wallet from brute-force attacks.
For example, a 12-word or 24-word seed phrase from a large word list can have millions of possible combinations, making brute-force attacks impractical.

Secure Storage of Seed Phrases:

Ensure that seed phrases are stored in a secure location and are not exposed.
Avoid storing seed phrases on online devices or in easily accessible text files.

Additional Security Measures:

Adding extra layers of security, such as encryption or additional security keys, can help protect seed phrases from brute-force attacks.
Some wallets provide additional protective measures for seed phrases or require extra authentication when accessing them.

Monitoring and Alerts:

Monitor for suspicious activities related to the wallet or account and set up alerts to detect brute-force attacks early.