Which of the following best describes a brute force attack?

A brute force attack is best described as an attack method that utilizes trial and error to decode passwords. This type of attack relies on systematic guessing of passwords to gain unauthorized access to a system or account. The attacker generates many possible combinations of characters and attempts to enter them until the correct password is found. This approach can be time-consuming and requires significant computational power, especially as the complexity and length of the password increase.

Brute force attacks are generally indiscriminate and do not require the attacker to have prior knowledge about the target. This distinguishes it from other attack methods, such as social engineering, which involves manipulating individuals to gain information, or coordinated attacks that utilize multiple systems simultaneously to overwhelm a target. Additionally, while accessing encrypted files without permission could involve various methods, it does not specifically align with the nature of a brute force attack, which is exclusively centered around password guessing.