How secure is the password protection of XP "compressed folders"? Can it be hacked?

This was very interesting, thanks! It shows that most encryptions can be hacked rather easily, given that someone has physical access to your computer.

However, let's say I posted a password protected zip-file on the web. Would anyone be able to crack it open without the password? Assuming a long password (20 characters).

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by Anonymous on February 22nd, 2008

It's highly possible to gain access to a Password encrypted zip file through many different methods depending on the encryption type, but this would require a bit of determination, so most people would be put off after a few attempts.

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by Anonymous on February 22nd, 2008

It depends upon the method of securing the file as well. By this I mean you utilize additional methods to discourage simple hacking measures such as limiting the amount of times an incorrect password attempt is allowed before automatically engaging additional levels of security, such as a lockout.
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The most secure method of access denial is limiting physical access to the actual devices storing the data. This can be done by not allowing LAN access to the internet, stand-alone computers or networks in secure places, removing and storing harddrives in vaults, etc.

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by The Chief on July 8th, 2008

Even if the password is quite long, say 20 characters? How would you go about?

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by Anonymous on February 22nd, 2008

Even if it had 40 characters, it could still be cracked.

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by Anonymous on February 23rd, 2008

From the software I've seen, I'm getting the impression that such a long password would take so long to break that in reality it would be as good as impossible? (Apart from the Princeton DRAM method you mentioned.) Would be very interesting to hear more about this!

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by Anonymous on February 25th, 2008

Actually, if it's a bad encryption algorithm, it doesn't really matter how long the password is, it won't take more than a couple days.

Also, for those encryptions that would take years to crack, there are things called rainbow tables. A rainbow table is a list of all possible letter and number combinations for a given algorithm created by starting with the plain text and then encrypting it. If you can get the hash that the program is checking against, you can essentially have it "cracked" in minutes.

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by afghani_stan on March 30th, 2008

@Afgani Stan,
WEP can be cracked in 20 minutes or less.

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by Anonymous on March 30th, 2008

Sure can, but only with a suitable number of packets. If there is only one person using the computer it is more likely that it will take days or weeks.

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by afghani_stan on April 4th, 2008

http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/news/article.php/3670601

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by Anonymous on April 4th, 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4rAA21NPCI

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by Anonymous on April 4th, 2008

Clearly you're a liar! I joke. That's pretty cool man, I haven't messed with that in a while. Any news on WPA?

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by afghani_stan on April 5th, 2008

WPA has been cracked.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=65

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by Anonymous on April 5th, 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zor7celUF7c

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by Anonymous on April 5th, 2008

I'm asking to find out whether or not I can rely on this built-in feature of XP to protect my files.

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by Anonymous on February 21st, 2008

Ahhhh ok.. Not too sure. I use alot of firewalls so its unlikely I can be hacked.. I hope not anyway its my mums pc till my laptop gets back lol

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by Victoria on February 22nd, 2008

Well thanks anyway vixi84 :)

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by Anonymous on February 22nd, 2008