In 2024, over 24 billion passwords were exposed in data breaches. Many of these were cracked within seconds. Understanding how hackers crack passwords is the first step to protecting yourself.
The 4 Main Password Cracking Methods
1. Brute Force Attack
The attacker tries every possible combination of characters until they find the right one. Modern GPUs can attempt billions of combinations per second.
Here's how long it takes to brute-force a password (2024 hardware):
| Password Type | 8 Characters | 12 Characters | 16 Characters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numbers only | Instant | 2 seconds | 5 hours |
| Lowercase letters | 5 seconds | 3 weeks | 3 million years |
| Mixed case | 22 minutes | 300 years | 1 trillion years |
| Mixed + Numbers + Symbols | 8 hours | 34,000 years | 1 quadrillion years |
2. Dictionary Attack
Instead of trying random combinations, attackers use lists of common passwords and words. This is why password123, qwerty, and iloveyou are cracked instantly.
123456, password, 12345678, qwerty, 123456789, 12345, 1234, 111111, 1234567, dragon
3. Rainbow Table Attack
Precomputed tables of password hashes. If your hashed password matches one in the table, it's cracked instantly. This is why websites must use salted hashes.
4. Credential Stuffing
Attackers take leaked username/password combinations from one breach and try them on other sites. This works because 65% of people reuse passwords.
Why "P@ssw0rd123" Is Weak
Common substitutions like @ for a or 0 for o are well-known to hackers. Their cracking tools include these variations automatically.
These are all equally weak:
password→P@ssw0rd→P@$$w0rd!summer2024→$umm3r2024letmein→L3tM31n!
What Makes a Strong Password?
- At least 12-16 characters (length is king)
- Mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
- No dictionary words or personal information
- Randomness (ideally generated by a tool)
The Passphrase Method
Easier to remember, hard to crack. Combine 4-5 random words:
- correct-horse-battery-staple (classic example)
- purple-elephant-dancing-tuesday
- quantum-pizza-umbrella-jupiter-99
These are longer than complex passwords and far easier to remember.
Generate a Secure Password
Create a cryptographically random password that would take centuries to crack.
Open Password GeneratorEssential Security Tips
- Use a password manager: Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass
- Never reuse passwords: Each account gets a unique password
- Enable 2FA everywhere: Even if password is compromised, you're protected
- Check for breaches: Use HaveIBeenPwned.com
- Update after breaches: Change passwords for affected accounts immediately
The Future: Passwordless Authentication
Passwords are inherently flawed. The industry is moving toward:
- Passkeys: Biometric authentication (Face ID, fingerprint)
- Hardware keys: YubiKey and similar devices
- Magic links: One-time login links sent to email
Until passwordless becomes universal, strong passwords and 2FA are your best defense.
Final Thoughts
Your password is often the only thing standing between hackers and your digital life. A few extra characters can mean the difference between "cracked in seconds" and "cracked in millennia."
Generate a strong, unique password for every account using our Password Generator.