Which of the following techniques system administrators use to reduce the risk of password hacking?

System administrators often enforce a cap on the number of password retries at login before an account gets locked as a fundamental security measure. This technique mitigates the risk of unauthorized access that might occur through methods like brute force attacks, where an attacker systematically tries different password combinations to gain access to an account.

By locking an account after a specified number of failed login attempts, the system significantly reduces the window of opportunity for an attacker to attempt to guess the password. This lockout feature can deter attackers who rely on automated tools to rapidly enter different password combinations. Additionally, it helps protect user accounts from being compromised by preventing endless attempts and alerts the users to potential unauthorized access attempts.

In contrast, preventing users from using alphanumeric passwords would not enhance security but rather weaken it, making passwords easier to guess or crack. Similarly, encouraging the use of easy-to-remember dictionary words could lead to weaker passwords that are more vulnerable to attacks, as commonly used words could be the first to be targeted by attackers. Therefore, the strategy of enforcing a password retry cap stands out as an effective security measure that can significantly decrease the likelihood of password hacking.