Common password cracking techniques and how to protect against them

The first line of defence for securing confidential and personal data is a password, but they can also be the weakest link. Passwords can be easily cracked by hackers using a variety of tactics, so if your password is weak, it can be vulnerable. We'll discuss some of the most popular password cracking methods in this post, along with ways to avoid them.

Brute force attacks

In a brute force attack, every potential character combination is hypothesised in an effort to crack a password. These attacks are automatable and can quickly iterate through millions of potential outcomes. Use a password that is at least 12 characters long and has a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters to fend off brute force attacks.

Dictionary attacks

Dictionary attacks entail trying to guess a password by using a pre-built collection of words, phrases, and well-known passwords. Avoid using widely used words, phrases, or patterns as your password to defend against dictionary attacks.

Rainbow table attacks

Rainbow table assaults, which can be much quicker than conventional cracking methods, use pre-computed hash tables to decrypt hashed passwords. Make sure the website or service you are using stores your password using a secure hashing method, such as bcrypt or Argon2, and use a strong and unique password for each account to defend against rainbow table attacks.

Phishing attacks

Phishing attacks try to deceive you into disclosing sensitive information like your password. These assaults might ask you to click a link or enter your password in an email or text message that appears to be from a reliable source. Always be wary of unsolicited emails, and never enter your password into a website or form unless you are positive it is real in order to protect yourself from phishing attempts.

Social engineering

Social engineering is a non-technical method to crack password by manipulating the user into giving away their password. This can be through impersonation or by scaring the user, known as Scareware. To protect against social engineering, be cautious about unsolicited phone calls or messages, and never give away your password over the phone or via email.

Conclusion

Password cracking is a common method used by hackers to gain unauthorized access to personal and sensitive information. By understanding common cracking techniques and taking steps to protect against them, you can improve the security of your passwords and better protect your information. Using a unique and long password, using a password manager and being cautious of unsolicited messages are some of the ways to increase the security of your passwords. Remember that security is an ongoing process, keep reviewing your passwords and updating them as needed to stay safe online.