The internet is full of passwords and it’s a good practice to hash them. Hashing is a mathematical process of taking plain text and transforming it into a new form that cannot be reversed. But, sometimes for various reasons we need to convert hashed passwords into text. This blog post will guide you through various methods that you can use to convert hashed passwords into text.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Convert Hashed Passwords to Text
There could be various reasons why you need to convert a hashed password into text. Maybe you have lost your password and the service provider has only sent you a hashed version of it or maybe the website you are analyzing requires plaintext for security testing. Whatever the reason may be, having the ability to convert hashed passwords to their original plain text form can come in handy in various situations.
Method 1: Using Online Tools
One of the easiest ways to convert hashed passwords into text is by using online tools. There are various websites that offer this service and can be easily found with a quick google search. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Copy the hashed password that you want to convert.
2. Open your browser and visit a website that offers this service. (hashkiller.co.uk, md5online.org, crackstation.net, etc.)
3. Paste the hashed password into the website’s text input field.
4. Click on the ‘decrypt’ or ‘convert’ button.
5. Wait for a few seconds and the website will show you the plain text version of the password.
Pros:
– User-friendly and doesn’t require any technical knowledge.
– No additional tools are required.
Cons:
– Risk of privacy breach since you need to upload your hashed password to a third party website.
– Not a 100% accurate method.
Method 2: Using Rainbow Tables
Another method to convert a hashed password into plain text is by using rainbow tables. Rainbow tables are pre-computed tables that contain a list of hashes and their corresponding plain text passwords. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Download and install a rainbow table software such as Ophcrack or RainbowCrack.
2. Download a set of rainbow tables that contains the hash algorithm used to hash the password.
3. Open the rainbow table software.
4. Select the hash algorithm used to hash the password
5. Copy and paste the hashed password into the software’s text input field.
6. Start the conversion process and wait for the software to find the corresponding plain text password from the rainbow table.
Pros:
– Faster than other methods.
– No additional computational power is required.
Cons:
– Rainbow tables take up a lot of hard drive space.
– Rainbow tables may not include all hashing algorithms used.
Method 3: Using Hashcat
Hashcat is a popular password cracking tool that can also be used to convert hashed passwords to plain text. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Download and install Hashcat.
2. Open the command-line interface from Hashcat.
3. Type in the command to start the conversion process. (e.g., hashcat -m 0 -a 0 hash.txt rockyou.txt)
4. Wait for Hashcat to find the corresponding plain text password from the given dictionary.
Pros:
– Highly accurate method of converting hashed passwords.
– Can be used for various hashing algorithms.
Cons:
– Required technical knowledge.
– Required GPU or CPU processing power.
What to Do If You Can’t Convert Hashed Passwords to Text
If for some reason you are unable to convert a hashed password into plain text, then don’t worry. You can still try the following methods to gain access:
– Reset the password – If the system allows you to reset the password, do it. This is the safest and easiest method to gain access to an account.
– Brute force attack- Try a brute force attack to guess the password. This method may take some time, but it’s worth a shot.
– Ask the service provider- Sometimes, the service provider can help you restore access to the account. Contact their support and ask for their assistance.
Bonus Tip
Always use strong and unique passwords that are hard to guess or brute force.
5 FAQs
Q1: Is it legal to convert hashed passwords into text?
A: Yes, it is legal to convert hashed passwords to text if it’s done for security or testing purposes. However, it’s illegal to use this method for malicious purposes.
Q2: Can all hashed passwords be converted to plain text?
A: No, not all hashed passwords can be converted to plain text. Some hashing algorithms are irreversible and cannot be cracked.
Q3: How long does it take to convert hashed passwords to plain text?
A: It depends on various factors such as the method you are using, the hash algorithm and the length and complexity of the password.
Q4: What is a rainbow table?
A: A rainbow table is a precomputed table that consists of a list of hashes and their corresponding plain text passwords.
Q5: How do I choose a strong password?
A: A strong password should have a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. It should be at least 8 characters long and not be a dictionary word or any personal information.
Final Thoughts
Converting a hashed password to plain text can be useful in various situations, but it’s important that you use it only for security or testing purposes. Always use strong and unique passwords to safeguard your accounts and never share your password with anyone.