Password cracking is the process of using an application program to identify an unknown or forgotten password to a computer or network resource. It can also be used to help a threat actor obtain unauthorized access to resources.
With the information malicious actors gain using password cracking, they can undertake a range of criminal activities. Those include stealing banking credentials or using the information for identity theft and fraud.
A password cracker recovers passwords using various techniques. The process can involve comparing a list of words to guess passwords or the use of an algorithm to repeatedly guess the password.
Password crackers can decipher passwords in a matter of days or hours, depending on how weak or strong the password is. To make a password stronger and more difficult to uncover, a plaintext password should adhere to the following rules:
The general process a password cracker follows involves these four steps:
A password cracker may also be able to identify encrypted passwords. After retrieving the password from the computer’s memory, the program may be able to decrypt it. Or, by using the same algorithm as the system program, the password cracker creates an encrypted version of the password that matches the original.
Password crackers use two primary methods to identify correct passwords: brute-force and dictionary attacks. However, there are plenty of other password cracking methods, including the following:
Some password cracking programs may use hybrid attack methodologies where they search for combinations of dictionary entries and numbers or special characters. For example, a password cracker may search for ants01, ants02, ants03, etc. This can be helpful when users have been advised to include a number in their password.
Passwordless authentication options and best practices
Okta competing with Microsoft, Google and others in passwordless offerings
When will we finally ditch passwords? Here’s Microsoft’s 4-step plan
How to go passwordless if not all your apps support modern authentication standards
How far is Google going in eliminating passwords?
Password crackers can be used maliciously or legitimately to recover lost passwords. Among the password cracking tools available are the following three:
The legality of password cracking may change based on location. In general, it depends on intent. For example, using a password cracking tool to retrieve one’s own password may be fine. However, in most cases, if the goal is to maliciously steal, damage or misuse someone else’s data, it will most likely be an illegal action.
Unauthorized access to another individual’s device can be grounds for criminal charges. Even guessing someone’s password without the use of a password cracker can lead to criminal charges. Under U.S. state and federal laws, more charges can be added depending on what threat actors do once they gain unauthorized access.
In short, using a password cracking method to access one’s own password is legal. Using these methods or tools to gain access to someone else’s password can lead to criminal charges.
Learn about why security professionals recommend having an effective identity and access management system in place and how employee training fits into a good password and overall cybersecurity strategy.
Nmap might be more common for security tasks, but it’s also useful for network documentation and inventory. Follow these best …
A new study from IEEE found 5G remains one of the most anticipated technologies for 2023. Top expectations for 5G include …
T-Mobile has expanded its mid-band 5G coverage across most of the nation, pulling further ahead of rivals Verizon and AT&T.
The threat of a recession coupled with the ongoing need for transformation and growth means CIOs must make force multiplying …
The U.S. Senate, federal agencies and state governments have banned TikTok from government devices due to concerns about data …
A new report examines the growth of process intelligence use by enterprise leaders. Learn practical and actionable tips for a …
Modern enterprise organizations have numerous options to choose from on the endpoint market. Learn about some of the main …
Monitoring files on Windows systems is critical to detect suspicious activities, but there are so many files and folders to keep …
While Microsoft Loop is not yet generally available, Microsoft has released details about how Loop can connect users and projects…
It is challenging to find the right balance between performance, availability and cost. Learn how to enable and apply AWS Compute…
Among other benefits, a hybrid cloud data warehouse can offer enhanced flexibility and scalability, as well as on-demand access …
The wrong instance type can affect workload performance and even increase costs. This year at re:Invent, AWS released new EC2 …
At the end of another busy 12 months, Turnkey Consulting’s Andrew Morris sums up some of the most important takeaways for cyber …
We look at the IT supply chain shortages that have hit data storage equipment, their causes and what organisations can do to work…
As a new year looms, defence firm BAE Systems has plans to add more than 2,500 apprentices to its workforce across the UK in 2023
All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2000 – 2022, TechTarget
Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences
Do Not Sell My Personal Info
