how to HACK a password // password cracking with Kali Linux and HashCat

Summary

In this educational video, the host demonstrates how to hack into a server by cracking its password. The goal is to break into a server with the username dwight.schrute, using various techniques like brute force and dictionary attacks with tools like Hydra and Hashcat. The process includes both online and offline methods, explaining concepts such as hashing, password cracking, and different algorithms. The video encourages ethical hacking by challenging viewers to use the skills demonstrated to crack a server password. The host emphasizes that this is for educational purposes and urges viewers to only practice on authorized systems.

Takeaways

• 😀 Password hacking is demonstrated as a learning tool for educational purposes only. The goal is to crack a server password and gain access to free coffee.
• 😀 The tutorial uses a real-world server example to demonstrate hacking techniques, specifically targeting a coffee server with the username 'dwight.schrute'.
• 😀 The presenter emphasizes that users should only hack systems with explicit permission and encourages learning ethical hacking.
• 😀 Brute force attacks are introduced as a traditional method of password hacking, where multiple password combinations are tried until the correct one is found, though it's inefficient.
• 😀 Hydra is introduced as a more efficient tool for online password cracking, using a list of likely passwords in a dictionary attack to attempt a faster breach.
• 😀 The script explains how to use pre-built password lists (like the Rockyou list) in Kali Linux to aid in password cracking.
• 😀 The concept of hashing is explained, where a server stores hashed versions of passwords instead of plain text to protect user credentials.
• 😀 The process of offline password cracking is demonstrated, where hashed passwords are tested against a list of possible passwords using tools like Hashcat.
• 😀 Hashcat's functionality is explored, showcasing how it can perform a dictionary attack on hashed passwords and crack them faster than traditional brute force methods.
• 😀 The tutorial encourages viewers to practice these techniques on a server provided by the presenter to win a challenge, reinforcing hands-on learning.
• 😀 A clear disclaimer is included that hacking without permission is illegal, emphasizing ethical hacking and encouraging viewers to set up their own testing environments for learning.

Q & A

What is the main objective of the hacking challenge in the video?

The main objective of the hacking challenge is to crack the password of a server, specifically the 'coffee server,' to gain access and win free coffee. This is done as part of an educational demonstration on password cracking techniques.

What is a brute force attack and how does it relate to the hacking process shown in the video?

A brute force attack involves trying every possible combination of passwords until the correct one is found. In the video, the host demonstrates a brute force attack by manually attempting passwords like '000000' and '000001,' which is inefficient but shows how the method works.

What is the tool Hydra used for in the hacking process?

Hydra is a tool used to automate online attacks by performing dictionary attacks. The tool takes a list of possible passwords and attempts to log in to the server, comparing each password to the correct one, speeding up the process compared to manual brute force.

What is the significance of the 'roku password list' in the video?

The 'roku password list' is a collection of passwords obtained from a hack of the Roku company in 2009. It is used in the video as an example of a password list that can be employed for dictionary attacks to guess the correct password.

How does password hashing work and why is it important for security?

Password hashing is a process where a password is transformed into a fixed-length string of characters (a hash) using an algorithm like MD5 or SHA-256. This method is crucial because it protects passwords from being stored in plain text, making it harder for attackers to recover the original password even if they access the hashed data.

What is the purpose of using Hashcat in the video?

Hashcat is a password cracking tool that is used in the video to perform offline password cracking. It allows the user to attempt to guess the password by comparing the hash of various password guesses to the stored hash, without needing to log in to the server directly.

What is the difference between online and offline password cracking methods?

Online password cracking involves repeatedly attempting to log in to a server with various passwords, while offline cracking works with password hashes that are obtained from the server, allowing the attacker to test potential passwords without directly interacting with the system.

Why is it important to have explicit permission before attempting any hacking activities?

It is crucial to have explicit permission before attempting any hacking activities because unauthorized hacking is illegal. The video emphasizes that hacking should only be done on systems you own or have been granted permission to test, as otherwise, it can lead to legal consequences.

What are some of the popular hashing algorithms mentioned in the video?

Some of the popular hashing algorithms mentioned in the video are MD5, SHA-256, and NTLM. These algorithms are used to transform passwords into hashes that are stored securely in databases, making it difficult to reverse engineer the original password.

What is the challenge provided to viewers in the video?

The challenge given to viewers is to use the hacking techniques demonstrated in the video—specifically using Hydra for an online attack and Hashcat for an offline attack—to crack a password on the host's server. The first five people to complete the challenge will win free coffee.