Network encryption cracking: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Method for breaching computer network security}}

{{Multiple issues|

{{CleanupMore citations needed|date=October 2008}}

{{Refimproveessay|date=OctoberAugust 20082018}}

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'''Network encryption cracking''' is the breaching of network encryptions (e.g., WEP, WPA, ...), usually through the use of a special [[Wireless security|encryption cracking software]]. It may be done through a range of attacks (active and passive) including injecting traffic, decrypting traffic, and [[Dictionary attack|dictionary-based attacks]].

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===Decrypting===

Decryption often requires 2 tools; 1 for gathering packets and another for analysing the packet and determining the key. Gathering packets may be done through tools such as [[WireShark]], or Prismdump and cracking may be done through tools such as WEPCrack, [[AirSnort]], AirCrack, and WEPLab.

When gathering packets, often a great amount of them are required to perform cracking. Depending on the attack used, 5-16 million frames may be required. The attack command itself, however, is surprisingly simple.

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Commands to be inputted into WEPCrack are:

<syntaxhighlight lang="console">

$ perl \progra~1\wepcrack\pcap-getIV.pl

</syntaxhighlight>

This command generates a log-file (ivfile.log) from a captured packet obtained by WireShark or prismdump A packet with at least 5 million frames is required.

<syntaxhighlight lang="console">

$ perl \progra~1\wepcrack\wepcrack\.pl ivfile.log

</syntaxhighlight>

This command asks WEPCrack to determine the key from the log file.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Beaver |first1=Kevin |title=Hacking Wireless Networks forFor Dummies |last2=Davis |first2=Peter |publisher=[[For Dummies]] |year=2005 |isbn=978-0764597305 |edition=1st}}</ref>

====AirCrack====

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====AirSnort====

AirSnort is a software program that passively collects traffic on an [[IEEE 802.11b]] network that was released in August 2001.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Delio |first=Michelle |title=Wireless Networks in Big Trouble |language=en-US |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |url=https://www.wired.com/2001/08/wireless-networks-in-big-trouble/ |access-date=2023-01-16 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> After enough packets have been collected, the program can then compute the key for the wireless network. As the software makes use of brute-force attack however, cracking the encryption can take between a few hours to several days, based on the activity on the network.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AirSnort pokes holes in AirPort network security |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/162585/airsnort.html |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=Macworld |language=en}}</ref>

AirSnort is an even simpler program, as it is completely interface-based. As the attack is only a simple brute-force attack however, cracking the encryption can take a while (from several days to a few weeks). Especially if traffic is low (only 4 users or so on network, the cracking will take at least 2 weeks).

==Comparison of tools==

A comparison of the tools noted above may be found at [http://www.securityfocus.com/infocus/1814 Security Focus].

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==

* A comparison of the tools notedlisted above may be found at [https://web.archive.org/web/20060408114100/http://www.securityfocus.com/infocus/1814 Security Focus].

[[Category:Computer network security]]