AI technology has taken the world by storm with its innovative capabilities, such as writing computer code, storytelling, and explaining complex theories like relativity. Unfortunately, AI can also use its power to decipher your passwords, which could be a cause of concern for online security.
According to a recent report by Home Security Heroes, more than half of the commonly used passwords can be cracked within a minute with the help of AI. The report showcases how AI technology is becoming increasingly proficient in cracking passwords and how it poses a significant risk to online security.
Also: Microsoft launches Security Copilot, its GPT-4 assistant for cybersecurity
Analyzing Password Cracking with PassGAN
To analyze the length of time it takes to crack passwords via artificial intelligence, Home Security Heroes enlisted an AI tool called PassGAN.PassGAN is an innovative tool created by combining “password” and “GAN” that enables it to master the art of password cracking. The tool accomplishes this by analyzing genuine passwords acquired from real leaks., as opposed to traditional manual methods.
How Long it Takes AI to Crack Passwords
The results of the analysis show that 81% of commonly used passwords can be cracked within a month, 71% within a day, 65% within an hour, and 51% within a minute. The length and complexity of passwords play a crucial role in their susceptibility to cracking. For instance, PassGAN took only six minutes to crack a seven-character password with uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. On the other hand, a 13-character password comprising solely of numbers could be cracked in just three minutes.
Recommendations for Stronger Passwords
The report recommends using strong passwords with at least 15 characters, a combination of letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and symbols. Additionally, passwords should be changed regularly and should not be repeated across multiple accounts. Password managers are a useful tool for generating and remembering complex passwords.
It’s worth noting that combining both length and complexity results in the most secure passwords. For instance, a nine-character password with all types of characters would take five years to crack, while an 18-character password with only numbers would take ten months to crack. Meanwhile, an 18-character password with all types of characters would take six quintillion years to crack.
How PassGAN Gets Smarter Over Time
PassGAN relies on the GAN part to run on a neural network, which allows it to learn and analyze data to get smarter over time. As a result, it can decipher passwords faster and more efficiently, making it an automated method that’s becoming increasingly popular among hackers.
Staying Secure in the Face of AI-Powered Password Cracking
In conclusion, the use of AI technology in cracking passwords is becoming a real threat to online security. As such, it’s crucial to practice proper password hygiene by following the recommendations outlined by Home Security Heroes. Using strong passwords and password managers, changing passwords regularly, and avoiding the repetition of passwords across multiple accounts can all help to ensure greater online security.