In the past, when you used weak passwords like "123456" or "qwerty" on your accounts, you were in trouble. With the help of tools like SocialBox in Termux, a hacker could easily guess your password and get into your account.
Let’s thank modern cybersecurity. Nowadays, even people who use weak passwords don’t need to fear brute force attacks the way they once did. Thanks to features like account lockout, multi-factor authentication (MFA), CAPTCHAs, and advanced bot detection, the power of brute force attacks has been drained.
Note: This is an updated post. At first, I wrote a blog about "how weak social media passwords could be cracked with SocialBox in Termux". Recently, I tried to install and run SocialBox again, but it didn’t work, I don’t know if the problem was my phone, Termux itself, or the tool. After thinking about it, I realized accounts can’t be hacked so easily with brute force anymore because of modern security features. That’s why I decided to update this post.
What Is Brute Force in Cyber Security?
Brute force is a method of cracking passwords where hackers use automated tools to try different combinations until the right one is found.
It’s like trying every key on a keychain until one opens the door. Hackers don’t sit down and type guesses manually. Instead, they use tools and wordlists that can generate and test thousands of passwords every second. SocialBox was one such tool, designed to brute force social media accounts using preloaded wordlists.
If you want a deep understanding of brute force attacks: what they are, how they work, common signs, and how to protect your accounts, I have another post that explains this in detail.
Why Brute Force Is Less Scary Today
Not too long ago, brute force was one of the most common hacking tricks. But today, it’s no longer the main weapon hackers rely on. Built-in protections across most platforms have made brute force much harder to succeed.
Here are the main protections that drained its power:
- Account lockout: Most platforms now lock or temporarily restrict accounts after several failed login attempts. For example, if you try the wrong password too many times on Facebook (around 20 attempts), your account gets restricted for a set period like 24 hours. This shuts down brute force attacks right at the start.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Even if a hacker guesses your password, MFA adds another wall of protection. They would still need a code sent to your phone or email to get in. This single step blocks the majority of brute force attacks.
- CAPTCHAs: CAPTCHAs are those small puzzles or image tests that prove you’re human. Brute force tools rely on speed and automation to test thousands of passwords per second. CAPTCHAs slow that process down because a human takes several seconds to solve them. This forces the attack to crawl at human speed, turning what could take minutes into years.
- Advanced bot detection: Modern security doesn’t just stop at CAPTCHAs. Many sites now use machine learning to detect bots in the background. They track how you move your mouse, type, or even how your device is set up (like browser version, plugins, or screen resolution). This “fingerprint” lets the system spot automated tools instantly. Unlike CAPTCHAs, this happens silently, so attackers don’t even realize they’re blocked.
Because of these defenses, brute force attacks are far less dangerous than before. But just because brute force is weaker doesn’t mean we’re safe. Weak passwords can still be cracked faster than you think.
Why Using Strong Passwords Is Still Important
Even with all these protections, strong passwords are still critical. Think of it this way: the extra walls (MFA, CAPTCHAs, lockouts) protect your house, but your password is still the front door. If your front door is weak, attackers can still find a way to get in.
For example, if you use weak passwords like 123456 or password123, tools like SocialBox try those first. That means your account can be cracked before protections like account lockout even come into play.
This is why strong passwords still matter today:
- Use 12–16 characters or more.
- Mix numbers, symbols, uppercase, and lowercase letters.
- Avoid using birthdays, names, or dictionary words.
- Never reuse passwords across accounts.
Another danger is credential stuffing. This happens when hackers use passwords stolen from one site and try them on other accounts. For example, if you use the same password for Facebook, Gmail, and PayPal, and just one of those sites gets hacked, all your accounts could be at risk.
I also know that many people hate using Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Some fear that if they lose their phone, they might lose access to all their accounts. Others just feel lazy to turn it on. But here’s the truth: even if you lose your device, you won’t lose your accounts. Most platforms give you backup codes. You can print them out or write them down on paper and keep them safe. Those codes can help you log in and recover your account from another device.
So the best defense is simple: use strong passwords, and enable MFA. Together, they give brute force attacks zero chance of success.
What SocialBox Taught Us
When I first tested SocialBox in Termux, it was an eye-opener. The tool could launch automated brute force attacks against social media accounts. Weak passwords like iloveyou or football were cracked in no time.
The real lesson SocialBox taught us is that weak passwords are dangerous. If a simple Android script could crack them, imagine what professional hackers with advanced tools can do.
Even though SocialBox no longer works properly, its role as a teaching tool is still valuable. So, while brute force itself may be less scary today, the lesson from SocialBox is still clear: weak passwords put you at risk.
