In password security, what does the term "exhaustive" often refer to?

The term "exhaustive" in the context of password security typically refers to the method of testing every possible combination of characters to guess a password. This approach is often linked to brute-force attacks, where an attacker systematically tries each possible password until the correct one is found. The exhaustive nature of this method means that it does not rely on any shortcuts or educated guesses; instead, it attempts to cover all possibilities, which can be mathematically calculated based on the character set used and the length of the password.

In contrast, options that involve storing passwords in an accessible form, requiring regular password changes, or strategies for password recovery do not encapsulate the idea of exhaustiveness as they pertain to different aspects of password management and security practices. In password security, emphasizing the thoroughness of attempting all combinations underscores the importance of having strong, complex passwords that are resistant to such brute-force attacks.