Volume 2 - Issue 2, March - April 2026

The rapid expansion of digital services has made authentication systems an essential component of cybersecurity infrastructure. Traditional password-based authentication remains the most commonly used method for verifying user identity in online systems. However, passwords are increasingly vulnerable to a wide range of cyberattacks, including brute force attacks, dictionary attacks, and credential stuffing techniques. These attacks exploit weak password practices and the availability of leaked credential databases to gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems and information. The study explains their operational mechanisms, computational requirements, and real-world impact on system security. The findings indicate that implementing MFA significantly strengthens authentication security by requiring multiple verification factors, thereby reducing the likelihood of unauthorized account access.The paper concludes by recommending layered authentication strategies that combine strong password policies, modern cryptographic techniques, and phishing-resistant MFA solutions to enhance overall system security.

Dr. Kavipriya T, Rathnavel P, Dharshan M, "Analysis of Password Attacks and Multi-Factor Authentication As A Defense Mechanism" International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Educational Development, V2(2): Page(286-289) Mar-Apr 2026. ISSN: 3107-6513. www.ijamred.com. Published by Scientific and Academic Research Publishing.