Password cracking is a method used by malicious actors to find passwords by systematically guessing or analyzing stolen and encrypted password data. The use of weak passwords or passwords shared across multiple services makes this type of attack far more effective than most users realize.

This document will clarify the reasons why passwords are compromised, how hackers exploit users' daily habits, and measures to help you protect your accounts and minimize the risk of information insecurity.
What is password cracking?

Password cracking is the act of gaining unauthorized access to an account by correctly identifying the login password. Cybercriminals commit this act to steal personal data, commit financial fraud, or expand access to other accounts and systems. This process doesn't always require advanced technical skills; In many cases, it relies solely on simple passwords, password reuse habits, or data from previous leaks.
The Mechanism of Password Cracking
Most password cracking attacks begin when an attacker obtains a leaked password database, often from compromised websites or services. However, modern systems don't store passwords in plain text but use hashing to convert passwords into a random string of characters. These hash values ​​are then stored in the database.
To enhance security, many systems also use "salt" techniques, adding a random string of data to the password before hashing. Each password has a unique salt value, ensuring that two identical passwords will still produce different hash values. This makes using pre-calculated hash tables less effective and forces attackers to process each password individually.
Once they have the hash values ​​(with added salt), hackers use automated tools to generate a series of predicted passwords, hash them with their corresponding salts, and then compare the results to the stolen data. Depending on the hashing algorithm and hardware power, this process can test millions to billions of passwords per second.

Different password cracking methods all rely on this common principle. Some try every possible scenario, while others prioritize common or previously leaked passwords to shorten the attack time.
It's important to note that not all account breaches result from password cracking. Many are due to online phishing, malware, or other forms of login information theft. The term "password cracking" usually refers to analyzing encrypted password data in an offline environment.

Common Password Cracking Techniques
Brute-force Attack
This method tries all possible password combinations sequentially until the correct result is found. Automated tools usually start with simple patterns and gradually increase the complexity. Short or easy-to-guess passwords are cracked quickly, while long and random passwords require more time and computational resources.
Dictionary Attack
Unlike brute-force attacks, dictionary attacks use lists of common words, phrases, and passwords compiled from sources such as language dictionaries, leaked data, or previous breaches. Passwords based on meaningful words, proper names, or simple variations are often easily exploited this way.
Rainbow Table Attack
This method utilizes pre-calculated hash tables to quickly match and deduce the password from the stolen hash value. However, applying a salt to each password significantly reduces the effectiveness of this technique, as the attacker would have to create a separate table for each salt value, which is almost impossible.
Forms of password theft that don't require cracking
In many situations, attackers don't need to guess the password but can directly obtain login information using other methods.
Credential stuffing
This technique uses leaked username and password pairs to try to log into various services. Password reuse makes this type of attack highly successful, even with data leaked years ago.
Online phishing and malware
Phishing exploits trust or urgency to trick users into revealing login information through emails, text messages, or fake websites. Meanwhile, malware can record keyboard input, steal passwords saved in browsers, or track login sessions.

Eavesdropping and Spying

Some methods exploit human factors instead of technical ones, such as eavesdropping on passwords during calls, intercepting data on insecure networks, or directly observing users entering passwords in public places.
Buying and Selling Login Information
Stolen account information is often sold on black markets or the dark web, allowing attackers to completely bypass the cracking process.
Signs That Your Password May Have Been Breached

Passwords can be compromised without the user realizing it. Some common warning signs include:
Unusual login or account change activity

Emails requesting password resets that you did not initiate

Transactions or expenses from unknown sources

Warnings from data leak monitoring services

Preventing Password Cracking

The most effective measure is to reduce the usability of stolen passwords by using strong, unique passwords for each account and adding other layers of protection.
Secure passwords should be long, random, and difficult to guess. Avoid common words, personal information, or easily recognizable patterns. Passwords 16 characters or longer offer better protection against automated attacks.

Do not reuse passwords for multiple services, as a single vulnerability can lead to multiple accounts being compromised.
Methods for creating secure passwords:

Diceware: Generates passwords from random words based on dice rolls.

Password phrase: Combines unrelated words into a memorable string.

Password generator: Generates random passwords using specialized tools.

The “three-word rule” can be effective if the words are truly random and unrelated, incorporating special characters, numbers, and uppercase letters to increase difficulty.

When should you change your password?

There's no need to change it on a fixed schedule, but change it immediately if you suspect a breach, detect unusual activity, or if the service you're using notifies you of a security breach.

Additional password protection measures:
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA/2FA)

Always keep your operating system and applications updated

Use a password manager for secure storage

Passkey-free authentication uses an encryption key stored on the device and authenticates using biometrics or a PIN, completely eliminating the risk of traditional password cracking.
The role of VPN in password protection:
VPN encrypts all traffic between the device and the internet, protecting login data from being intercepted on public or insecure Wi-Fi networks.
Limitations of VPN:
VPN cannot protect passwords that have been stolen from databases or collected by offline methods such as eavesdropping or listening. Offline password cracking is outside the scope of VPN protection.