Password Cracking to Secure Your Private Information from Hackers

Password cracking is the process of attempting to guess or crack passwords  to achieve access to a database system or network. Crackers will typically use a range of tools, programs, scripts  or software  to crack a system password. The motive of the password cracker is to ideally acquire the password for root (UNIX )   or system and administrator (Windows, NT). Password cracks function by comparing every coded or encrypted dictionary word against the entries in the system password file till a match is found. 

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Password crackers illegitimately steal a replica of the password file from a machine; that file contains the encrypted value of your password.  They then use a crack program on their data processor  (usually something like a Pentium) against a dictionary and use some knowledge of human behavior to create passwords till they point out a match between the encrypted value they generate and the encrypted value within the password file. That is how the illegal password cracking process is usually done.

The time required to crack open a password is closely related to password strength. Most methods of password cracking require the computer to yeild a handful number of possible passwords. Each of the possibilities is audited and effort to reduce the number of trials is required . Password crackers also use some computer programs  where the number of possible passwords can be checked within a  second.

There are a handful number of software aiding to password cracking, which includes John the Ripper, ElcomSoft, Hydra etc. Most of these software prove themselves to be most productive by employing a mixture of password cracking strategies.

The Security Breach at the Gawker exposed a handful number of weak passwords and left a lot of user accounts open to the public.Of the decrypted passwords that were exposed, the top 10 which were most commonly used are: (your first name), password, password1, 123456, abc123, qwerty, letmein, blink182, myspace1, monkey,.

There are few standard techniques you can use to pick a strong password as well as prevent password cracking.

Make sure that the length of your password is not less than seven characters. The more number of letters and characters you use, the stronger it will get.

Make sure your password contains a minimum of two non-alphabetical characters, like 0-9, or two non-alphanumeric characters, such as #, % or &. Make sure that your password contains a minimum of one capital letter. Use upper case and lower case alphabets. This adds variety to your password more likely to be confusing to others who may attempt to crack it. In fact use as much of keyboard as possible and ensure that you mix up things a bit.

Never use a dictionary-based word or any common sequences while creating your password. Again do not use numbers or alphabets in chronological order so that the cracker may guess it so easily.

Avoid to use date and general names. By doing so, you are opening up the possibility that a friend or a loved one can crack the password and gain access to the information that you are attempting to keep private. Make sure your password isn’t your name or any personal information followed by some regular numbers, e.g. emma1234.