Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

Which password recovery approach does John the Ripper primarily specialize in?

1. Password cracking

2. Network analysis

3. Social engineering

4. Remote access management

The correct answer is: Password cracking

John the Ripper primarily specializes in password cracking, which is the process of recovering passwords from data that has been stored in or transmitted by a computer system. This tool is designed to exploit weaknesses in password encryption and hashing algorithms to gain access to passwords that may be protected. By using various techniques such as dictionary attacks and brute force methods, John the Ripper can efficiently search through possible passwords to find the correct one. The other options, while related to security and hacking, do not accurately represent the primary function of John the Ripper. Network analysis involves monitoring and analyzing network traffic, social engineering focuses on manipulating individuals into revealing confidential information, and remote access management pertains to controlling and maintaining access to systems from different locations. These areas do not encompass the password recovery capabilities for which John the Ripper is specifically designed.