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SECURITY GUIDE
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Introduction
A password is a sequence of characters employed to authenticate a user’s identity during the sign-in process. Passwords are generally used alongside a username; they are intended to be known exclusively by the user, granting them access to a device, application, or website.
Password Basics:
- A password is a character sequence used for user authentication.
- It grants access to devices, applications, or websites and is typically paired with a username.
Consequences of Password Attacks:
- Successful attacks can compromise device security, social media, banking, email, and lead to identity theft.
Common Passwords:
- Simple numeric sequences and common terms are vulnerable.
- Using complex, difficult-to-guess passwords is crucial for security.
Hacker Techniques:
- Techniques include dictionary attacks, brute force attacks, phishing, social engineering, malware, and more.
Tools for Password Cracking:
- Popular tools include Aircrack, Cain and Abel, John the Ripper, and Hashcat.
Difference Between Hashing and Encryption:
- Encryption is reversible, while hashing is a one-way process.
- Hashing is used for password storage, ensuring irreversible conversion.
Common Hash Functions:
- MD5 and SHA-1, 2, and 256 are commonly used hash functions in digital forensics.
Irreversibility of Hashes:
- Hash functions are irreversible; there is no algorithm to determine the original value.
Hashing and Salting:
- Salts are random data added to passwords before hashing for additional security.
Recognising Hashes:
- Hashes appear as hexadecimal strings, with variations for different algorithms.
Creating More Secure Passwords:
- Use long, complex passwords with a mix of symbols, upper/lower case letters, and numbers.
- Avoid writing down passwords and using the same password across multiple devices for enhanced security.
What are the consequences of a successful password attack?
Gaining unauthorised access through a successful password attack can lead to severe consequences. It can compromise the security of the victim’s device, social media accounts, banking details, email, and even result in identity theft, leading to far-reaching and often devastating outcomes.
What are the most common passwords?
The most frequently used passwords include simple numeric sequences like ‘123456’, ‘123456789’, and ‘12345678’, as well as common terms like ‘password’, ‘qwerty’, and ‘abc123’. Due to their simplicity and widespread use, these passwords are highly vulnerable and easily exploited by hackers.
For this reason, using simple and commonly chosen passwords is discouraged as it allows hackers to effortlessly access and control an individual’s digital presence. A complex, difficult-to-guess password significantly reduces the likelihood of unauthorised access, encouraging hackers to look elsewhere for easier targets. The more intricate your password, the safer your computer is from unwanted breaches.
What are the techniques used by hackers to discover passwords?
Hackers employ various methods to crack passwords and infiltrate devices. The most commonly used techniques include:
- Dictionary Attack
- Brute Force Attack
- Rainbow Table Attack
- Phishing
- Social Engineering
- Malware
- Offline Cracking
- Guessing
Dictionary Password Attack explained:
This method exploits the tendency of people to choose common words and short passwords. The attacker uses a list of frequently used words (a dictionary) and tries them against user accounts, often adding numbers before or after the words.
Brute Force Password Attack explained:
This approach involves using software to generate a range of likely passwords or random character combinations. Starting with weak, commonly used passwords, these programmes progressively try variations, including different combinations of upper and lower case characters.
Rainbow Table Password Attack explained:
In a rainbow table attack, hackers match hash functions used to secure passwords. The threat arises when an attacker obtains the rainbow table that encrypts the stored passwords in a database, enabling them to crack all the stored passwords.
Phishing Password Attack explained:
Phishing is a form of social engineering attack, often aimed at stealing user data such as login credentials and credit card numbers. It typically involves an attacker posing as a trusted entity to trick victims into opening malicious emails, instant messages, or text messages.
Social Engineering Password Attack explained:
Social engineering involves manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information. Hackers use these tactics as it is often simpler to exploit people’s natural inclination to trust than to find ways to hack software.
Malware Password Attack explained:
Malware, a contraction for “malicious software,” includes various types like viruses, worms, Trojan viruses, spyware, adware, and ransomware.
Offline Cracking Password Attack explained:
Offline Password Cracking involves attempting to recover passwords from a password storage file obtained from a target system, like the Security Account Manager (SAM) file on Windows or the /etc/shadow file on Linux.
Guess Attack Password explained:
Password guessing involves trying to authenticate as a user on a system. Clipping levels differentiate between malicious attacks and normal users who might mistype their passwords.
What tools are used to crack passwords?
Numerous password-cracking software tools exist, but the most popular include Aircrack, Cain and Abel, Brutus, John the Ripper, Hashcat, Hydra, Medusa, and ncrack.
How does the password attack work?
In a password attack, the hacker uploads a list of potential usernames and passwords or uses a combo list containing both in the programme, initiating the attack process.
What is the difference between hashing and encryption?
Encryption is a reversible process where encrypted data can be decrypted using the correct key. In contrast, hashing is a one-way function that converts plain text into a unique message digest. With a well-designed algorithm, it’s impossible to reverse the hashing process to reveal the original password.
What are two common hash functions?
The most commonly used hash functions in digital forensics are Message Digest 5 (MD5) and Secure Hashing Algorithm (SHA) 1, 2, and 256.
Can a hash be decrypted?
Hash functions are irreversible. There is no algorithm that can deterministically uncover the original value of a specific hash. However, using cryptographically secure hash password hashing may still allow the discovery of the original value.
What is hashing and salting a password?
In cryptography, a salt is random data used as an additional input to a one-way function that hashes data, a password, or passphrase. Salts are employed to secure passwords in storage, with each password typically receiving a newly generated, unique salt.
How to recognise a hash?
Hashes commonly appear as hexadecimal strings: 32 characters for MD5, 40 for SHA-1, 64 for SHA-256, etc. The bcrypt encoding system uses a $ symbol followed by a number indicating the used algorithm and its parameters. bcrypt, a cryptographic function library, inherently applies salt and cost notions to hash functions.
How to calculate/encode a hash?
Hash functions process binary computer data through nonlinear, non-reversible functions with a strong avalanche effect, resulting in outputs that are vastly different even if the input data is similar. The fingerprint is typically returned as hexadecimal characters.
How to enter more secure passwords?
To enhance password security, users must adopt long, complex passwords. These should contain at least twelve characters, including a mix of symbols (like commas, percent signs, parentheses), upper and lower case letters, and numbers. Users should never write down their passwords to avoid theft and misuse. Additionally, using the same password across multiple devices is discouraged, as hackers who breach one device may attempt to use the same password to control others.
Daniel Phillips
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