How Hackers Break Passwords | iCert Global

We use the internet for nearly everything now, so passwords are the keys to our cyber existence. As humans rely more on passwords, hackers try harder to crack them. These crooks use sneaky tricks to guess passwords and access systems.

What Does Password Cracking Mean?

Password cracking is when an individual attempts to discover a password from information stored on a machine or transmitted over the internet. Hackers can circumvent systems, accounts, or networks by guessing passwords. They may be aware of how passwords are generated or utilize certain devices to discover them.

Major Terminology Involving Password Cracking:

Password Cracking Hackers try to find passwords by guessing the correct one from an encoded form known as a hash.

Brute Force Attack :  is a method in which hackers attempt various multiple passwords or PINs until they arrive at the right one.

Dictionary Attack : It is a brute-force attack. Attackers employ a dictionary list of words and phrases to attempt to break passwords.

Rainbow Table Attack:  Hackers employ a list of pre-existing codes to alter a password to something readable.

Phishing : is when hackers trick people into giving away personal information like passwords. They pose as trusted sources, often by appearing with deceptive emails or websites.

How Password Cracking Works ?

Hackers employ software tools, which assist them in rapid password guesses in order to break a password. Tools function in varied manners. They are capable of performing brute-force attacks, dictionary attacks, or rainbow table attacks.

• Brute Force: The computer tries all the permutations until it discovers the correct one.

• Dictionary Attack: The program employs a dictionary of popular words or phrases to attempt to guess the password.

• Rainbow Table Attack: The application makes use of pre-existing tables to decode the password code into plain text.

How to Defend Yourself Against Password Cracking ?

A good way to protect your passwords is to create good and distinctive ones. Don’t use easy or common words. Make your passwords long and hard to figure out. Use different passwords for different accounts, as well.

Multi-factor Authentication is a security method that takes two steps to verify who you are. You enter a password initially. You might then be asked to enter a code that you received on your phone. Encryption can also be used to protect your account from unauthorized access.

How to Create a Safe Password ?

• Refrain from using common words or phrases such as "password" or "1234." These are vulnerable to dictionary attacks by hackers.

• Repeating or Sequential Characters: Never use the simple patterns such as "123456" or "aaaa" as your password. They are easy to guess.

• Don’t use personal details like your name, birthday, or address as your password. This is easier for hackers to guess.

• Long, Complex Passphrases: Utilize a long passphrase such as "correct horse battery staple" rather than a short and simple password. It is long and complex, so it is more difficult to crack.

•Don't Repeat Passwords: Have a unique password for each account. If one password is compromised, this will protect your other accounts.

5 Common Ways Hackers Break Passwords

1. Brute Force Attacks A brute-force attack tries all possible combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols until it hits the correct password. If the attacker has no idea about the password, this approach does all combinations from start to finish.

2. Dictionary Attacks A dictionary attack is when hackers use a collection of common words, phrases, or passwords to attempt to guess your password. They believe that most users have easy-to-guess passwords that are simple, like names, places, or dictionary words.

3. Rainbow Table Attacks Rainbow table attacks are another method hackers employ to break passwords. They employ pre-computed tables that contain "hash values," which are passwords that have been encrypted. These tables assist hackers in reversing the hash values back to the original password.

4. How Rainbow Table Attacks Work A rainbow table attack is a technique hackers use to try to guess passwords using pre-existing tables. The tables have "hash values," which are passwords converted into code.

5. Phishing Attacks Phishing attacks are a type of impersonation that tricks individuals into releasing their passwords or personal data. Hackers impersonate a trusted source, e.g., a bank or government agency, by using bogus emails or websites.

Here’s how phishing works:

1. Building a spoof message: The malicious person builds a message that seems genuine, say from your bank or some institution you trust.

2. Luring the Victim: The hacker sends the spurious message and attempts to convince you that it's genuine, requesting you to give your password or other personal details.

3. Obtaining the Password: When you are misled and provide them with your information, the hacker will use the same to open your accounts or systems.

Social engineering tricks people into giving away their passwords or private information. Hackers do this by posing as another individual or by utilizing creative means of establishing trust.

How to obtain Cyber Security certification? 

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Conclusion

Password cracking poses a huge threat to our safety online. Having a frequent password change is one of the ways to ensure that your accounts remain safe. Should you be interested in knowing more about digital security and how you can secure your personal details, iCert Global offers various courses that can provide you with necessary skills for an enhanced safe online experience. 

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