Password Cracking & Cryptography: John the Ripper & Hashcat

Learn cryptography, password theory, John the Ripper, Hashcat rules, OSINT, and Windows password security

What you'll learn
- Understand the fundamentals of cryptography and its relationship to password security.
- Use John the Ripper and Hashcat across Windows, Linux, and macOS for password auditing.
- Build, customize, and apply cracking rules and wordlists for real-world security testing.
- Extract and analyze password hashes from Windows SAM, SYSTEM, and SECURITY hives.
- Apply ethical open-source intelligence (OSINT) methods for strengthening password defenses.
- Evaluate password theory to understand weaknesses and design stronger authentication systems.

Requirements
- Basic computer literacy (navigating files, installing software).
- Familiarity with Windows or Linux command line recommended, but not required.
- No prior cryptography or cybersecurity background needed, everything is explained step by step.
- Learners must commit to using the tools and techniques for ethical and legal security research only.

Description
Unlock the world of cryptography and password security with this comprehensive course on ethical password cracking. Designed for beginners and professionals alike, this program blends theory and practice to help you understand how passwords are stored, protected, and attacked - and most importantly, how to defend against these threats.

We begin with the foundations ofcryptography and password theory, exploring how different hashing algorithms work and why some are more secure than others. From there, you’ll gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools likeJohn the RipperandHashcat, learning how to set up environments on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

You will also discover how to build and customizecracking rules, generate effectivewordlists, and applyopen-source intelligence (OSINT)to strengthen your password security strategies. Dedicated sections coverWindows SAM, SYSTEM, and SECURITY hives, showing you how attackers extract and analyze hashes — knowledge that will help you anticipate and defend against real-world techniques.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a solid grasp ofethical password auditingand the role cryptography plays in modern cybersecurity. Whether you’re an IT professional, a system administrator, or an aspiring ethical hacker, this course gives you the tools to recognize weaknesses and reinforce digital defenses.

Take the next step in your cybersecurity journey and gain practical skills that are in high demand across the IT industry.

Who this course is for:
- Cybersecurity beginners who want a practical introduction to cryptography and password security.
- IT professionals and system administrators interested in improving password policies and defenses.
- Ethical hackers, penetration testers, and red team members seeking hands-on practice with JTR and Hashcat.
- Students and enthusiasts curious about how cryptography and password cracking intersect in real-world systems.
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