Introduction:
Password cracking is the process of trying to figure out passwords that have been stored or sent in a scrambled form. One common method is a brute-force attack, where a computer repeatedly guesses passwords and checks them against a hashed version of the password. Another method is password spraying, which involves slowly trying a list of common passwords over time to avoid detection.
The goal of password cracking can be to help someone recover a forgotten password, gain unauthorized access to a system, or check for weak passwords as a security measure. The time it takes to crack a password depends on its complexity and how it's stored. Brute-force attacks try every possible combination, while other methods like dictionary attacks try common passwords first. Stronger passwords take much longer to crack.
The speed at which passwords can be guessed depends on the available hardware and the security measures in place. Graphics processing units (GPUs) can significantly speed up the process, and purpose-built hardware like ASICs can be even faster. Password complexity and user behavior, like writing down passwords or reusing them, also play a role in security.
SOFTWARES:
Password cracking software, found primarily in the category of "Password cracking software," includes several popular tools known for their effectiveness in decrypting passwords. Some well-known examples are
- Aircrack-ng
- Cain & Abel
- John the Ripper
- Hashcat, Hydra
- Dave Grohl
- ElcomSoft.
These tools are often used for legitimate purposes, such as recovering forgotten passwords or testing the security of one's own systems.
These software packages typically use a combination of methods, including brute-force attacks (trying all possible combinations) and dictionary attacks (using a list of common words and phrases). The goal is to uncover the original password by decrypting or "cracking" the hashed password or bypassing the security measures.
The availability of powerful hardware and user-friendly software has made password cracking more accessible, leading to even less experienced individuals, often referred to as "script kiddies," engaging in this activity. It's essential for individuals and organizations to use strong password practices and security measures to protect their systems and data from such attacks.
Types of Password Attacks:
- Brute Force Attack
- Dictionary Attack
- Cold Boot Attack
- Phishing
- Credential Stuffing
- Keyloggers
- Smudge Attack
SHORT-LIVED SECURITY: THE POWER OF SHIFTING PASSWORDS:
Securing Password Hashes: Store password hashes in a location inaccessible to regular users. In modern Unix systems, they are stored in the shadow password file, which is only accessible to privileged programs. This makes it difficult for attackers to obtain hashed passwords.
Use of Site-Specific Secret Key: Combine a site-specific secret key with the password hash. Even if an attacker gains access to the hash, they cannot recover the plaintext password without this key. However, privilege escalation attacks could still expose the site's secrets.
Key Derivation Functions (KDFs): Implement KDFs that slow down password-guessing attempts. These functions make it time-consuming for attackers to guess passwords.
Salting: Use a unique random value (salt) for each password before hashing it. Salting prevents attackers from cracking multiple hashes simultaneously and thwarts the use of precomputed tables like rainbow tables.
Stronger Hashing Algorithms: Replace weaker hashing algorithms with stronger ones like bcrypt, scrypt, or crypt-SHA. These algorithms use large salt values and are computationally intensive, making it more challenging for attackers to crack passwords.
Key Stretching Algorithms: Use key stretching algorithms like PBKDF2 or crypt-SHA, which iteratively calculate password hashes, significantly slowing down password guessing if the iteration count is high.
Memory-Hard Algorithms: Consider memory-hard algorithms like script, which require substantial memory and processing time. These are difficult to crack using GPUs and custom hardware.
New Password Hashing Standards: Adopt newer standards like Argon2, chosen as a winner in a password hashing competition. These standards are designed to be more secure against modern password-cracking techniques.
Security Tokens: Implement solutions like security tokens that constantly change the password. These tokens reduce the time window for brute force attacks and decrease the value of stolen passwords because of their short-term validity.
These measures collectively strengthen password security and make it significantly more challenging for attackers to crack passwords.
INCIDENTS:
July 16, 1998: CERT reported an incident where an attacker found 186,126 encrypted passwords, with 47,642 of them already cracked when discovered.
December 2009: A major breach of Rockyou.com exposed 32 million passwords due to poor security practices. Passwords were stored in plaintext and accessed through an SQL injection vulnerability.
June 2011: NATO experienced a breach, leading to the public release of personal data and passwords of over 11,000 e-bookshop users as part of Operation AntiSec.
July 11, 2011: Booz Allen Hamilton was hacked by Anonymous, revealing sensitive data including 90,000 logins of military personnel. Some of these passwords were incredibly weak, like "1234."
July 18, 2011: Microsoft Hotmail banned the use of the password "123456" due to its widespread use and vulnerability.
July 2015: The Impact Team stole user data from Ashley Madison, revealing that many passwords were poorly secured, allowing password cracking groups to recover about 11 million plaintext passwords.
These incidents highlight the importance of strong password practices and better security measures to protect user data.
Conclusion
Understanding the world of password cracking is essential for both individuals and organizations in today's digital landscape. Passwords serve as the first line of defense in safeguarding sensitive information and digital assets. However, as we've explored, malicious actors are continually devising new methods and tools to crack passwords, highlighting the importance of strong security practices.
The rise of powerful hardware and readily available software has made password cracking more accessible, posing a significant risk to those who do not take password security seriously. Whether it's through brute force attacks, dictionary attacks, or reverse brute force tactics, attackers can exploit weak passwords to gain unauthorized access.
Comments