As technology advances, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more powerful and capable of performing complex tasks that were once thought to be impossible. One such task is cracking passwords, which is a major concern for individuals and organizations alike. With the help of AI, it is now possible to crack most passwords in less than a minute, leaving personal and sensitive information vulnerable to cyber attacks.
In this article, we will discuss the potential dangers of AI-powered password cracking and provide tips on how to protect yourself against it. By following these guidelines, you can stay one step ahead of cyber criminals and protect your personal and sensitive information from being compromised.
PassGAN, a new AI technology, is capable of cracking passwords in less than 30 seconds.
Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence called PassGAN, which can easily crack more than half of all passwords in record time. Home Security Heroes developed PassGAN with the sole purpose of cracking passwords as quickly as possible.It relies on two neural networks, a generator and a tester, to create strings of characters that the tester then uses to confront the targeted platform.
By using a database consisting of over 15 million passwords circulating on the dark web, PassGAN can hack 51% of the most common passwords in less than a minute, with 65% of them not surviving more than a day.
However, there is a solution to protect yourself against PassGAN, which is to increase the number of complex characters in your passwords. While PassGAN can crack a 7-character password in less than 6 minutes, the AI is much less effective on longer combinations.
Therefore, the process can take up to a month for slightly more sophisticated passwords. It is important to note that these results were obtained on passwords with 4 to 18 characters. It is crucial to use longer passwords with a combination of lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters to protect yourself from PassGAN.
It is always important to follow good practices to protect your passwords.
Here are 10 good practices to protect your password:
- Use a unique password for each account you have.
- Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols in your password.
- Avoid using personal information, such as your name or date of birth, in your password.
- Make your password at least 12 characters long.
- Use a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.
- Avoid writing down your password on a piece of paper or storing it in an unsecured digital file.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible to add an extra layer of security.
- Change your passwords regularly, at least every 90 days.
- Be cautious of phishing attempts and never provide your password to someone you don’t trust.
- Use a secure internet connection and avoid using public Wi-Fi when entering passwords.
According to Home Security Heroes, PassGAN would need 14 billion years to crack a password with these characteristics.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the rise of AI-powered password cracking has made it more important than ever to prioritize password security. By following good password practices such as using unique, complex, and regularly updated passwords, avoiding personal information, and enabling two-factor authentication, you can significantly reduce the risk of a cyber attack. It’s also important to be cautious of phishing attempts and to never provide your password to someone you don’t trust. While AI technology may be advancing rapidly, by staying informed and taking proactive steps to protect your passwords, you can stay one step ahead of cyber criminals and safeguard your personal and sensitive information.
