I recommend 1Password for managing your logins its secure and easy to use across all your devices.
Try 1Password (14 days Risk-Free)
We DO NOT encourage or condone password cracking or hacking.
What Is Password Cracking?
Password cracking is when hackers guess or recover passwordsfrom data stored or transmitted by a computer system.
The goal is to find a match between the guessed password and the stored hash.
The effectiveness of password cracking depends on the passwords complexity and the strength of the hashing algorithm protecting it.
Hackers often use brute force attack programs to automate this process.
These programs bombard the login field with password combinations until they guess the correct one.
This is the classic form of a brute-force attack.
However, other types of brute-force attacks include:
2.
These lists often come from leaked databases of passwords, common words, and phrases people frequently use.
For example, they might change password to p@ssw0rd!
and enter password combinations based on this personal information.
Phishing
The term phishing comes from fishing, as attackers fish for victims sensitive information.
Examples of social engineering attacks include:
6.
It can adjust your devices tweaks and control webcams.
Hackers can then easily access your accounts.
An effective antivirus scanner like Norton360can detect and remove spyware.
Keyloggers
Keyloggers or keylogging malware records your keyboard strokes to steal your sensitive information.
This malware is a form of spyware.
Most password authentication systems include salting.
Hackers typically use common passwords, such as password123 or welcome1.
Mask Attack
A mask attack is a targeted brute-force technique similar to a dictionary attack.
Masked attacks work by narrowing the key space of potential passwords based on predictable patterns.
To execute a mask attack, hackers use placeholders representing different character types within a password.
Shoulder Surfing
Shoulder surfing is a low-tech yet surprisingly effective password-cracking technique.
What Makes a Password Easy to Crack?
Understanding what makes a password easy to crack means you’re able to protect yourselfagainst such attacks.
The fewer combinations a hacker needs to try, the faster they can guess it.
For instance, a password like 12345 can be cracked almost instantly using basic brute-force techniques.
A strong password is at least 12-16 characters long.
Common Words and Phrases
Using common words and phrases makes your password susceptible to dictionary attacks.
Hackers use precompiled lists of common words, phrases, and passwords leaked from previous data breaches.
They often start with password, 123456, and qwerty.
Predictable Patterns
Hackers exploit predictable patterns in passwords.
Many people use sequences like abcd1234 or password2023.
Hackers can narrow down their guesses to the most likely combinations based on these patterns.
Personal Information
Using personal information in your passwords makes them easier for hackers to guess.
They can easily get information such as names, birthdates, and addresses through social engineering or data breaches.
Anyone who knows basic information about you’re able to quickly guess passwords like John1985 or Mary123.
Lack of Complexity
Hackers find it much easier to crack passwords that lack complexity.
A strong password should include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
Reused Across Multiple Accounts
Using the same password for multiple accounts is a major security risk.
If one account is compromised, all other accounts using the same password are at risk.
Hackers frequently attempt credential-stuffing attacks, using credentials from one breach to access multiple accounts.
To avoid using weak and easily hackable passwords, take advantage of ourSD password generator tool.
We at SafetyDetectives strongly discourage any illegal use of these tools.
Cracking a short password such as cats123 could take only minutes (if not seconds!
), but a password like CaTs-are_my-Favor1tE_aN1maL!
would take millions of years to crack using todays tools.
This means that hackers would need both your password and your 2FA credentials to access your account.
I recommend using 2FA for all of your compatible accounts.
Norton has a 100% malware detection rate and strong defenses against threats like phishing and ransomware.
Be Aware of Online Scams
When online, be vigilant about dodgy websites.
Phishing scams can trick you into revealing login information through misleading emails, texts, or social media messages.
Protect yourself by checking messages from unknown senders and not downloading suspicious attachments.
You should also usean antivirus with good web protectionto weed out potential risks.
Cybercriminals often use personal information to guess passwords through social engineering tactics.
Instead, use a combination of unrelated words, numbers, and symbols to create a strong password.
Avoid Unsecured Networks
Using public Wi-Fi networks can expose your passwords to hackers.
Avoid accessing sensitive accounts over unsecured networks.
Biometric data is unique to each individual and is much harder to replicate compared to traditional passwords.
Using biometric logins can enhance the security of your accounts.
Use Email Masking
Email masking involves using unique, randomized email addresses for each account.
Some password managers, likeNordPass, offer email masking features to enhance your security.
Old software and firmware can contain weaknesses that hackers can exploit.
Use Nortons software updater to keep your setup safe from the latest exploit attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is password cracking illegal?
Yes, password cracking is illegal.
How do hackers crack passwords?
Some of the most common password cracking techniques includebrute-force attacks, phishing, and spyware.
