What does an attacker need to bypass to execute an attack successfully?

To successfully execute an attack, an attacker primarily needs to bypass security measures that protect the network and its data. Firewalls, salting, and encryption serve as critical defenses in a cybersecurity framework. Firewalls monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules, acting as a barrier between trusted internal networks and untrusted external networks.

Salting refers to the practice of adding random data to passwords before they are hashed, making it much more difficult for attackers to use precomputed tables (like rainbow tables) to crack passwords. Encryption scrambles data into an unreadable format for unauthorized users, thereby protecting sensitive information both in transit and at rest.

Bypassing these security measures is essential for an attacker to gain unauthorized access to systems, extract confidential information, or disrupt services. Therefore, understanding these elements is crucial for any cybersecurity practitioner or student to defend against potential attacks effectively.