Re: How Windows Password Cracking Programs Work

["Michal Merta" <michal.merta () gmail com>]

Hi all,

these programs in most cases calculate (or there are some tools which
pre-calculate) hashes from text passwords and compare it with hash of
the passwords.
2 very similar passwords have completely different hashes, i.e.
password - 286755fad04869ca523320acce0dc6a4
passwords - 6f59c8e9229e384c2935e75075825566

(md5 algorithm used in previous example.)

The output of hash algorithms is all the time the same length.
For all hash functions its mathematically impossible (we hope :)) to
derive the original text password from encrypted hash.
But it can be that 2 different passwords have the same hash. Its
called "collision".
Regards, Michal


On 22 Jul 2006 15:33:12 -0000, winshel () camden rutgers edu
<winshel () camden rutgers edu> wrote:
> Please excuse my lack of technical understanding of windows password cracking software.
>
>
> My question is whether windows password cracking programs has to do with how these programs work.
>
>
> Is it correct that they do not crack a password one character at a time?  That is, the password cracking programs 
> aren't able to determine that they have cracked the first character, or the first two or first three characters?
>
>
> Also, is it correct that password cracking programs aren't able to determine - ahead of time - how long a windows 
> password is?
>
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>
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--
Michal Merta
Network Security Engineer
http://www.misuta.cz

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education and the case study affords you unmatched consulting experience. 
Using interactive e-Learning technology, you can earn this esteemed degree, 
without disrupting your career or home life.

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