How Long Does It Take a Hacker to Figure Out Your Passwords?

In today's digital age, creating strong and unique passwords is more crucial than ever. With the rise of hacking attempts and data breaches, it's essential to understand how long it takes for a hacker to crack your password. A recent study by cybersecurity firm Hive Systems has shed some light on this topic, revealing that even the most complex passwords can be vulnerable to cracking.

The Power of Brute-Force Attacks

A brute-force attack involves trying every possible combination of characters to guess a password. The more characters and complexity in a password, the longer it takes for a hacker to crack it. But just how long? According to Hive Systems' Password Table, a 5-character password with numbers, upper and lowercase letters can be cracked in just 2 hours.

However, a password with 18 characters using numbers, symbols, upper and lowercase letters is estimated to take an astonishing 463 quintillion years to crack. This highlights the importance of using long, complex passwords that are difficult to guess or crack.

The Role of Hashing Algorithms

A hashed password is a scrambled version of text that can be reproduced if you know what hash software was used. The strength of a hashed password depends on several factors, including the length, complexity, and hashing algorithm used by the victim. Hive Systems analyzed password data breaches from 2007 to now reported by HaveIBeenPwned and found that the choice of hashing algorithm can significantly impact the security of a password.

The Worst-Case Scenario

The Password Table focuses on the concept of the "worst-case" or "maximum time required" to crack a password. This assumes that the hacker starts from scratch, working in a "black box" situation with no prior knowledge of the victim's password.

However, most hackers prioritize words and strings of characters that they've previously stolen through data breaches, dictionary attacks, and rainbow tables. If your password has been part of a previous breach or uses words in the dictionary, a hacker can figure out your password instantly, regardless of its length or complexity.

The Impact of Data Breaches

According to Hive Systems, if your password has not been part of a breach in the past, it's still vulnerable to cracking. Hackers often try hashes of all common and breached passwords before moving on to new ones.

This highlights the importance of regularly changing your passwords, using unique and complex combinations, and being mindful of data breaches that may have affected your online accounts.

Safest Passwords

So, what makes a password safe? According to Hive Systems, the safest passwords are those that meet the following criteria:

  • Mixed case (both uppercase and lowercase letters)
  • Numbers
  • Symbols
  • A minimum of 12 characters
  • No common words or phrases
  • No easily guessable information, such as birthdate or address

By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of your password being cracked and protect yourself against hacking attempts.