How Windows Password Cracking Programs Work

[winshel () camden rutgers edu]

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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