What policy is most effective at thwarting a dictionary attack?

A strong password policy is the most effective way to thwart a dictionary attack because it sets specific requirements for the creation of passwords that make them more complex and difficult to guess. Dictionary attacks involve systematically entering every word in a predefined list or dictionary of common passwords and variations to gain unauthorized access.

By implementing a strong password policy, organizations can enforce the use of passwords that include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters, along with a minimum length requirement. This complexity makes it significantly less likely that passwords will be found in common dictionaries or lists, thereby protecting accounts against such attacks.

Strengthening password requirements contributes to overall account security and reduces the likelihood that users will select easily guessable passwords. This approach directly addresses the vulnerabilities exploited by dictionary attacks, making it an essential component of a comprehensive security strategy.