This is How Hackers Crack Passwords! (Don't Try)

Summary

In this video, the process of password cracking and various hacking techniques are explained in detail. The speaker discusses how passwords are stored securely using hashing algorithms, emphasizing the importance of strong, complex passwords. He explains rainbow tables, brute-force attacks, and the significance of using password managers like Keeper Security to protect against these threats. Additionally, techniques such as salting passwords to add extra layers of security are highlighted. The video aims to educate viewers about how hackers operate and the best practices to ensure their passwords remain secure.

Takeaways

• 😀 Passwords are not stored as plain text; they are hashed using algorithms to make them difficult to reverse-engineer.
• 😀 Hackers use techniques like rainbow tables to map common passwords to their hashes, making password cracking easier if the hash is available.
• 😀 Strong passwords should include a combination of uppercase letters, numbers, special characters, and be long to prevent easy cracking.
• 😀 Rainbow tables contain pre-computed hashes for commonly used passwords, and can make it easier for hackers to match hashes to actual passwords.
• 😀 If a password is not available in a rainbow table, the hacker might not be able to retrieve it without more advanced techniques.
• 😀 Password managers like Keeper Security offer a complete solution for password management, ensuring encrypted storage and protection.
• 😀 Keeper Security's encryption model ensures that your passwords are encrypted before they even reach their servers, keeping them safe from unauthorized access.
• 😀 Password managers like Keeper can also alert you if your passwords have been compromised in recent data breaches.
• 😀 Brute force attacks involve trying all possible combinations to crack a password, and these can take a long time depending on password strength.
• 😀 Salted passwords prevent attackers from using rainbow tables or brute force methods, as the salt modifies the password before it is hashed.
• 😀 Salted passwords make each hash unique, ensuring that even the same password will result in different hashes across different platforms.

Q & A

What is a hash, and how is it related to passwords?

A hash is a random-looking string generated from a password using a hash algorithm. The hash is a one-way transformation, meaning you can't reverse it to retrieve the original password. This is how passwords are stored securely, preventing unauthorized access even if someone has access to the hash.

What is a rainbow table, and how does it help hackers?

A rainbow table is a precomputed table containing hashes of commonly used passwords. Hackers use these tables to quickly look up the hash of a password and find the corresponding original password. It speeds up the cracking process but is only effective for weak or common passwords.

Why is it important to use strong passwords?

Strong passwords are essential because they are harder for hackers to crack. A strong password includes uppercase letters, numbers, special characters, and is long enough to prevent hackers from easily guessing it or matching it in a rainbow table or dictionary attack.

How does a brute force attack work?

In a brute force attack, a hacker systematically tries every possible combination of characters until the correct password is found. This type of attack can take a long time but is effective if there are no restrictions on the number of attempts.

What is the benefit of using a password manager like Keeper?

Keeper is a password manager that securely stores your passwords and encrypts them before sending them to their servers. It helps manage complex passwords without needing to remember them, offering features like security audits and breach watch to protect you from password leaks.

What is a brute force technique, and how do hackers apply it?

Brute force techniques involve trying every possible password combination until a match is found. Hackers apply this technique using automated tools that can quickly test many combinations, even when websites limit the number of attempts.

How does salting improve password security?

Salting involves adding random data to a password before hashing it, making the resulting hash unique even for identical passwords. This prevents rainbow tables and brute force attacks from easily cracking passwords because each password is hashed differently.

What is a dictionary attack, and how is it different from brute force?

A dictionary attack uses a list of common passwords or words (called a wordlist) and tries each one against a hashed password. Unlike brute force, which tries all combinations, a dictionary attack focuses on the most likely passwords, making it faster and more efficient.

What role does the Keeper password manager play in preventing security breaches?

Keeper helps prevent security breaches by securely encrypting passwords and ensuring that users' passwords are never exposed in plaintext. It also has features like breach monitoring, alerting users if their passwords are involved in any data leaks.

Why do hackers use wordlists, and how are they customized for specific targets?

Hackers use wordlists because they contain common passwords and phrases, which are more likely to succeed in cracking weak passwords. These lists can be customized with personal information like a target's name, family members' names, or company details to improve the chances of success.