10 Levels of Password Hacking

Summary

This video script explores various cyber attacks, starting from rainbow table attacks to phishing, detailing how each method works and their effectiveness. It highlights security measures like salting to combat rainbow tables and the importance of password complexity against brute force attacks. The script also covers less conventional attacks like dumpster diving and shoulder surfing, emphasizing the evolution of security threats and the need for constant vigilance in protecting sensitive information.

Takeaways

• 🌈 Rainbow Table Attack: Rainbow tables are pre-computed hash value collections used to reverse hash functions and crack passwords.
• 🔒 Salting: Adding a random string to passwords before hashing to prevent rainbow table attacks, making each hash unique.
• 🗑️ Dumpster Diving Attack: Attempting to find passwords or sensitive information from discarded documents or digital waste.
• 👀 Shoulder Surfing Attack: An attacker watches over a victim's shoulder to steal data, limited by physical proximity and visibility.
• 🛠️ Hardware Keylogger Attack: Physical devices that record keystrokes, hidden in computer peripherals, and undetectable by typical software.
• 🔧 Brute Force Attack: Using a program to try every possible password combination until the correct one is found, time-consuming for complex passwords.
• 🕊️ Man in the Middle Attack: Intercepting and stealing data by impersonating one of the parties in a communication, still prevalent despite security measures.
• 💉 SQL Injection Attack: Exploiting web application vulnerabilities to inject SQL commands, allowing attackers to manipulate databases.
• 📚 Dictionary Attack: Systematically testing common passwords or dictionary words against a user's password, effective against simple password choices.
• 🔄 Credential Stuffing Attack: Using leaked passwords to gain access to accounts, relying on the reuse of passwords across multiple sites.
• 🎣 Phishing Attack: Deceiving individuals into revealing sensitive information through deceptive emails or links, relying on human error.

Q & A

What is a rainbow table attack in the context of password security?

A rainbow table attack involves using pre-computed hash values to reverse the hashing process and find the original password. It's a method where attackers can quickly retrieve the original password if a hash in a database matches a precomputed hash in their table.

How do reduction functions contribute to rainbow table attacks?

Reduction functions in rainbow tables convert a hash into a potential plaintext password. This allows for the creation of chains of passwords and hashes, which are added to the table to increase the likelihood of successfully cracking a password.

Why did rainbow tables become mostly obsolete?

Rainbow tables became mostly obsolete due to the introduction of salting, which adds a random string to passwords before hashing, making each password unique and rendering rainbow table attacks ineffective.

What is a salting process in the context of hashing passwords?

Salting is the process of adding a random string to passwords before they are hashed. This ensures that each password is unique, even if multiple people use the same password, and it helps to protect against rainbow table attacks.

What is a dumpster diving attack and how effective is it in modern times?

A dumpster diving attack is an attempt to crack someone's password by physically accessing and searching through discarded documents or digital waste. It is considered less effective in modern times due to improved physical security practices and the digital nature of sensitive credentials.

How does shoulder surfing differ from other password cracking methods?

Shoulder surfing is a method where an attacker tries to steal data by visually observing the victim's actions, such as typing a password. It differs from other methods as it requires physical proximity and relies on the lack of privacy in public spaces.

What is a hardware keylogger and how does it work?

A hardware keylogger is a small physical device that records every keystroke made on a computer keyboard. Cybercriminals can hide these devices within computer cables or USB adapters, making them difficult to detect and allowing them to capture sensitive information typed by the user.

Why are brute force attacks considered slow and less efficient?

Brute force attacks are considered slow and less efficient because they involve trying every possible combination of alphanumeric characters to find the correct password. This method can be extremely time-consuming, especially with longer and more complex passwords.

What is a man-in-the-middle attack and how does it compromise security?

A man-in-the-middle attack occurs when a hacker intercepts and secretly steals data by pretending to be one of the parties in a communication. This can compromise security by allowing the attacker to eavesdrop on or manipulate the exchange of information, making it appear as normal to the communicating parties.

What is SQL injection and why is it still a widely exploited web vulnerability?

SQL injection is an attack that exploits a web vulnerability by allowing an attacker to inject their own SQL commands into a website's input fields. It is still widely exploited because it relies on improper separation of user input from SQL queries in the website's code, and it can lead to unauthorized access to a database.

How does a dictionary attack differ from a brute force attack?

A dictionary attack is more targeted than a brute force attack. Instead of trying every possible combination of characters, a dictionary attack systematically tests common passwords and dictionary words, which are more likely to be used by people due to their simplicity and memorability.

What is credential stuffing and why is it dangerous?

Credential stuffing is a type of brute force attack where attackers use already leaked passwords to attempt to gain access to user accounts across various applications. It is dangerous because many people reuse the same password, which can turn a single security breach into a domino effect, compromising multiple accounts.

Why is phishing considered a potent attack vector?

Phishing is considered a potent attack vector because it capitalizes on human error and can set the stage for further attacks. It often involves deceptive emails or messages that trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links, which can lead to data theft or malware infection.

Outlines

00:00

🌈 Rainbow Table and Salting Techniques

This paragraph introduces the concept of rainbow tables, which are precomputed hash value collections used to crack password hashes. It explains how hashing transforms plain text passwords into a seemingly random string and how rainbow tables can reverse this process to retrieve the original password. The paragraph also discusses the use of reduction functions in rainbow tables to create chains of passwords and hashes, enhancing the cracking process. It mentions the obsolescence of rainbow tables with the advent of a new method, 'salting,' which adds a random string to passwords before hashing, making them unique and rendering rainbow table attacks ineffective.

05:00

🕵️‍♂️ Exploring Various Cybersecurity Threats

The second paragraph delves into several methods used to crack passwords or steal sensitive information. It starts with the 'dumpster diving attack,' which relies on finding discarded documents with passwords written down. It then moves on to 'shoulder surfing,' where attackers watch over victims' shoulders to steal data. The paragraph also covers 'hardware key loggers,' devices that record keystrokes, and 'simple brute force attacks,' which involve trying countless combinations of characters to find the correct password. It concludes with a discussion on 'man in the middle attacks,' where hackers intercept communications between two parties to steal data, and 'SQL injection attacks,' exploiting web vulnerabilities to manipulate a database. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of proper security measures to prevent these attacks.

Keywords

💡Rainbow Table Attack

A rainbow table attack is a method used to crack password hashes by using pre-computed tables of hash values. In the video, it explains how these tables can quickly reveal the original password if a hash in a database matches a precomputed hash, rendering the security measure of hashing ineffective. The concept is integral to understanding password security and the evolution of hacking techniques.

💡Hashing

Hashing is the process of converting plain text, such as a password, into a fixed-size string of characters that appears random. It's a fundamental concept in cybersecurity, as it's how passwords are typically stored in databases. The video emphasizes the importance of hashing in securing passwords and how rainbow table attacks exploit the process.

💡Reduction Function

A reduction function in the context of rainbow tables is a method that converts a hash into a potential plain text password. The script mentions that these functions are used to create chains of passwords and hashes, which are added to the rainbow table. This concept is key to understanding how rainbow tables increase the efficiency of password cracking.

💡Salting

Salting is the practice of adding a random string to a password before it is hashed. This technique ensures that each password is unique, even if the same password is used multiple times. The video script illustrates how salting can render rainbow table attacks useless by disrupting the assumption of a one-to-one correspondence between plain text and hash values.

💡Dumpster Diving Attack

Dumpster diving attack refers to the act of searching through trash to find discarded documents that contain sensitive information. In the video, it's mentioned as one of the least effective methods for password cracking due to its reliance on physical access and poor security practices. It highlights the importance of proper data disposal.

💡Shoulder Surfing Attack

Shoulder surfing attack is when an attacker tries to steal data by visually observing the victim's actions, such as typing a password. The video script points out the limitations of this attack method, such as the need for physical proximity and the use of password masking techniques, to emphasize the evolving nature of security measures.

💡Hardware Key Logger

A hardware key logger is a physical device that records every keystroke made on a keyboard. The video explains how these devices can be hidden and operate undetected by software security measures, making them a potent tool for capturing sensitive information like passwords.

💡Brute Force Attack

A brute force attack is a method where a hacker systematically tries every possible combination of characters to crack a password. The video script uses the example of how this method, despite being time-consuming, could theoretically crack any password given enough time and processing power, highlighting the importance of complex passwords.

💡Man in the Middle Attack

A man in the middle attack is when a hacker intercepts and potentially alters communication between two parties who believe they are interacting directly with each other. The video script discusses various forms of this attack, such as Wi-Fi eavesdropping, and how it can still be effective despite modern security measures.

💡SQL Injection Attack

SQL injection is a web vulnerability attack where an attacker injects SQL commands into a website's input fields to manipulate the database. The video script explains how this attack exploits poor coding practices to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, emphasizing the need for secure coding to prevent such vulnerabilities.

💡Dictionary Attack

A dictionary attack involves trying common passwords or words from a dictionary to guess a user's password. The video script notes that this method is more effective than a brute force attack due to the prevalence of easily guessable passwords, and how modern password requirements can mitigate this risk.

💡Credential Stuffing Attack

Credential stuffing is a type of brute force attack where attackers use previously leaked passwords to gain access to user accounts across different platforms. The video script warns about the risks of password reuse and how it can lead to a domino effect of compromised accounts.

💡Phishing Attack

Phishing attacks are attempts to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, often through deceptive emails or websites. The video script highlights the reliance of phishing on human error and the importance of user awareness in preventing such attacks.

Highlights

Rainbow tables are collections of pre-computed hash values used for cracking password hashes.

Hashing transforms plain text passwords into a fixed-size string that appears random.

Rainbow tables use reduction functions to convert hashes into potential plain text passwords.

Salting passwords by adding a random string renders rainbow table attacks useless.

Dumpster diving attack relies on physical access and poor security practices to find discarded passwords.

Shoulder surfing attack involves watching over a victim's shoulder to steal data in public places.

Hardware key loggers are physical devices that record keystrokes and are difficult to detect.

Brute force attack tries every possible combination of characters to find the correct password.

Man in the middle attack intercepts communications between two parties to steal data.

SQL injection attack exploits web vulnerabilities to interact with a website's database.

Dictionary attack tests common passwords and words from a dictionary to guess a user's password.

Credential stuffing attack uses already leaked passwords to gain access to user accounts.

Phishing attacks trick individuals into revealing sensitive information through deceptive emails or links.

Brilliant.org is a learning platform offering engaging courses in Math and Science to develop critical thinking skills.

Brilliant's interactive problem-solving methods are proven to be more effective than traditional lecture videos.

Phishing attacks are most effective when they exploit human error, making awareness and intelligence key to prevention.

Man in the middle attacks have been rebranded to adversary in the middle or on path attacks to reflect inclusivity.

Transcripts

this video is sponsored by brilliant

coming in at level one we have the

rainbow table attack rainbow tables are

collections of pre-computed hash values

used to crack password hashes hashing is

when a hash function transforms a plain

text password into a fix size string of

characters that appears random that's

how passwords are typically stored in

databases and an attacker can use a

rainbow table to try to reverse that

process to direct them to the original

password if a hash in a database matches

a hash value that's already precomputed

in their table they can quickly retrieve

the original password I want to make it

clear that rainbow tables aren't just

simple hash tables they're unique

because of their use of reduction

functions reduction function simply

converts a hash into a potential plain

text password which we can then rehash

to create a chain of passwords and

hashes these chains are added to the

table to improve the likelihood of

cracking a password and the term rainbow

in rainbow tables by the way refers to

the use of different colors used to

represent various hashing and reduction

functions and steps there's a lot more

that goes into them and as impressive as

they are they became mostly obsolete

once their Kryptonite came along

[Music]

salting involves adding a random

strength to passwords before they

undergo hashing ensuring each password

is unique even if multiple people use

the same password because rainbow table

attacks work under the assumption that

its hex string has one specific hash

value salting renders them useless level

two dumpster diving attack this is one

of the least effective ways to try

cracking someone's password because it's

limited by physical access and relies on

poor physical security practices you'd

have to hope that someone actually wrote

down their password and then carelessly

threw it away where it's accessible in

today's digital age important

credentials are rarely discarded so

openly and many people in businesses use

shredders to dispose of sensitive

documents realistically though an

attacker using this method would most

likely be in search of digital waste

such as hard drives USB drives and other

storage devices where they can then use

data recovery tools to retrieve

sensitive information so before throwing

your computer away always make sure that

your sensitive data has been properly

deleted this will always be the best

method level three shoulder surfing

attack shoulder surfing happens when an

attacker tries to steal data by watching

over a victim's shoulder as they use

their device in public dude this is

another not so good way of trying to

crack someone's password as it is

limited by physical proximity and

visibility even if the attacker

possessed Godlike Vision password

masking is still a thing passwords

appear as dots or asteris for this very

reason the biggest factor in Falling

prey to this type of attack is simply

being in public there's rarely any

reason for a stranger to be this close

to you in public unless you're taking

the train and Tokyo during rush hour and

if that's the case having your password

stolen should be the least of your

worries level four Hardware key logger

attack Hardware Key loggers or small

physical devices designed to record

every key stroke made on a computer

keyboard cyber criminals can hide these

devices within computer cables or inside

a US as the adapter making them

difficult for the victim to detect once

installed they run in the background

tracking everything you type such as

credit card information websites you

visit and passwords you use what makes

them effective is that they're not

relying on software running on the

system which makes them undetectable by

typical antivirus or antimalware

programs however because you need

physical access to the victim's computer

to install the key logger attackers do

not commonly use it in cyber attacks yes

software key loggers do exist but

attackers commonly deploy them through

fishing methods which is an entirely

different kind of attack level five

simple Brute Force attack a simple Brute

Force attack occurs when a hacker uses a

password cracking program to process an

astounding number of possible

combinations of alpha numeric characters

until the correct one is found this

trial and era tactic can be very time

consuming especially with longer and

more complex passwords this is why

nowadays most websites ask you to add

special characters and numbers to your

password this makes brute forcing

stupidly slow for reference it would

take approximately 7 quadrillion years

to crack this password using a Brute

Force algorithm although this sort of

attack can be very slow it tickles my

brain to think that given enough time

and resources a Brute Force attack could

theoretically crack any password known

to man it's like Batman with prep time

Unstoppable another fun thought is

imagining you're incredibly lucky and

cracking the password on your first try

although super unlikely the chances

aren't zero if you want to dive deeper

into how probability Works I'd recommend

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this video level six men in the- Middle

attack a man in the middle attack occurs

when a hacker secretly steals data by

intercepting Communications between two

parties who believe they are

communicating directly with each other

the hacker can either EAS drop on or

impersonate one of the parties making it

seem like a normal exchange of

information is happening but it's not

man in the middle attacks come in many

different forms there's Wi-Fi EAS

dropping heart poisoning DNS spoofing

and many more you would expect that a

lot of these methods wouldn't work with

today's level of security such as

encryption and sign certificates but

they're very much still a thing what

what's not a thing anymore however is

the name man in the- Middle attack it

has been rebranded as adversary in the-

middle or on path attack because and I I

didn't even know this but apparently men

in the- Middle attacks can actually be

performed by a woman level seven SQL

injection attack escal injection is an

attack that relies on a web

vulnerability that's been known for over

20 years and yet it remains one of the

most widely exploited flaws and web

applications today it's like discovering

that people are still hiding their spare

house keys under the doormat so SQL or

SQL simply put is a language that lets

you interact with a website's database

when you sign into a website the system

executes SQL commands to verify whether

your username and password match the

records stored in the database the issue

comes when the website's code does not

properly separate user input from its

SQL queries when that happens attackers

can inject their own SQL commands into

the text field allowing them to read

edit and even delete everything in a

database and it's funny because this

attack can easily be prevented if

Developers stize their code level eight

dictionary attack in a dictionary attack

a hacker systematically tests every word

in a list of common passwords and

basically any word from a dictionary to

guess a user's password this method is

more effective than a pure Brute Force

attack due to the fact that people tend

to use overused and easy to remember

passwords here's a list of the top 20

most used passwords in the United States

according to nordpass and they're

exactly what you would expect you have

the typical numeric sequences such as 1

2 3 4 5 password and sh shed bird what

the dictionary attacks do have their

shortcomings again most websites today

require that passwords include a

combination of letters numbers and

special characters and also meet a

minimum length they're basically trying

to make your password more complex so

that there's a lower chance of it being

on an attackers list level nine

credential stuffing attack credential

stuffing is a type of Brute Force attack

in which attackers use already leaked

passwords to gain access to users

accounts what makes this attack so

dangerous is that it relies mostly on

the fact that many people reuse the same

password across various applications

reusing the same password across

multiple sites can turn a single

security breach into a domino effect

compromising all of your accounts at

once so treat your passwords like

condoms only use them once if you don't

you might end up with an unexpected user

on your family plan funny enough

credential stuffing attacks have a very

low rate of success about 0.1% according

to Cloud flare but the sheer volume of

credential collections that's available

makes this attack worth it if an

attacker has 1 million sets of

credentials this could yield around

1,000 successfully C accounts and lastly

level 10 fishing attacks fishing occurs

when a thread actor Bas an individual

into revealing sensitive information

I've place this at number 10 because

it's an attack that best capitalizes on

human error which is the most

challenging vulnerability to mitigate

also fishing can set the stage for

launching further potent attacks such as

deploying malware fishing attacks come

in a variety different flavors however

the most common is arguably email

fishing these emails may contain

deceptive links that directs you to a

malicious website that can steal loging

credentials or attachments that when

open can install malware on the user's

device the effectiveness of this attack

depends largely on the target's level of

awareness and intelligence if you can

slow down and think before clicking on a

suspicious link you're already

significantly reducing your risk of

falling victim to it all right I've been

Arin and I know jack about cyber

security take care

[Music]

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