John The Ripper

John the Ripper, often referred to as ‘John’ is a highly popular password-cracking tool designed for both Unix-based and Windows systems. It specializes in identifying weak passwords by performing dictionary attacks, brute-force attacks, and hybrid approaches, making it adaptable for various types of password formats. John’s modular design supports a broad range of password hash types, including DES, MD5, and Blowfish, which enhances its versatility. Frequently used in forensic investigations and penetration testing, John the Ripper helps security professionals understand and strengthen system defenses by exposing weak password practices.