AI-Assisted Password Cracking Tool Can Crack 65% of Passwords in Less Than an Hour

• Blockchain Council
• September 17, 2024

A new study has revealed that an AI-assisted password-cracking tool can potentially crack up to 65% of passwords in less than an hour. This comes as a major concern for individuals and organizations who rely on password protection as their primary security measure.

The research conducted by cybersecurity experts suggests that AI-powered algorithms are becoming increasingly effective at cracking passwords. The tool in question was able to correctly guess more than half of the passwords in less than a minute.

According to the experts, the AI tool uses a technique known as “brute force” to crack passwords. This method involves trying every possible combination of letters, numbers, and symbols until the correct one is found. However, the tool is not limited to brute force alone. It is capable of using a range of other techniques, such as dictionary attacks and social engineering tactics.
The study also found that longer and more complex passwords were harder to crack. However, even passwords that met the recommended guidelines of containing a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols were not immune to the AI tool’s attack.

Commenting on the findings, one of the researchers stated, “This is a wake-up call for individuals and organizations to rethink their password strategies. Passwords are no longer enough to keep our digital lives secure. We need to start considering alternative security measures such as two-factor authentication and biometric authentication.”

The increasing effectiveness of AI-assisted password-cracking tools poses a significant threat to online security. It highlights the need for individuals and organizations to adopt stronger and more secure methods of authentication.

As technology continues to evolve, so make the threats to our online security. It is essential that we stay informed and vigilant in our efforts to protect our digital lives. With the rise of AI-powered attacks, it is clear that the traditional password alone is no longer enough to keep our data safe.

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The AI-assisted password cracking tool revealed in the study uses a range of techniques to crack passwords beyond brute force attacks, such as dictionary attacks, where commonly used words are tried, and social engineering tactics, where the tool uses known personal information such as birth dates, pet names, and favorite sports teams to crack passwords.

The findings from the research also suggest that the tool can crack more than 50% of passwords in less than a minute, which is significantly faster than previously thought. This alarming discovery highlights the need for stronger and more secure authentication methods for individuals and organizations alike.

The study found that longer and more complex passwords were harder to crack. However, even passwords that met the recommended guidelines of containing a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols were not immune to the AI tool’s attack.

The researchers have urged individuals and organizations to consider alternative security measures such as two-factor authentication and biometric authentication. These methods add an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide additional information or use physical features such as fingerprints or facial recognition to gain access.

This study serves as a stark reminder that passwords alone are not enough to keep our digital lives secure. The continued development of AI-powered attacks means that we must remain vigilant and adopt new and innovative security measures to protect our data. As technology continues to evolve, it is essential that we stay informed about the latest threats and take action to secure our online presence.