You know, we can all learn something from hackers. They use a variety of tools and software every day. But if we flip the script, we can use the same tools to learn how to defend ourselves better.
Eventually, with enough experimenting, we can become attack-proof, especially when using a Windows machine, the most used and targeted operating system worldwide. Learning simple tools and tricks could be the difference in avoiding an attack altogether.
This article will teach you easy ways to use hacker tools to your advantage. From password crackers to network monitoring and privacy tools, each tool mentioned will help you understand hacking and how best to defend yourself.
1. Crack your passwords
We know what you’re thinking—why on earth would you want to crack your own passwords? But if you think about it, password-cracking tools provide the perfect opportunity to test your defenses safely and securely.
You can see just how secure a password is. If the tool successfully decrypts your password, you’ll know it’s time to change it without learning the hard way!
John the Ripper is a password-cracking tool that can be used on various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Mac, as well as commonly encrypted file extensions like ZIP and RAR, Microsoft documents, PowerPoints, and more.
The free tool can auto-detect encryption for common formats, saving time and effort. As a dictionary-based tool, you can combine John the Ripper with Openwall’s custom wordlists, a collection of 5 million entries in over 20 languages that contain many common passwords, ripe for testing!
2. Bypass the Window login screen
The Windows login is the first password you’ll meet every morning. If you forget the passcode or try to log onto an older device, you might be stuck on that screen for some time.
Offline NT Password and Registry Editor (also known as chntpw) is a free tool that overwrites your Windows password, allowing you to reset it without knowing the older combination.
Although it’s a relatively old piece of technology, it can still allow you to reset the login password on Windows 11. To use the program, read this detailed instructions page from Passcope, which explains everything from creating a bootable CD to navigating the program interface.
3. Hide your identity from advertisers
Right this very moment, you’re being tracked. It starts as soon as you open your browser. Advertisers immediately start to monitor all the sites you’re visiting and analyze how long you spend on a particular page. All without your permission.
A tracker blocker is an innovative tool that flips the script on being monitored online, helping to block invasive surveillance and being able to surf the web in total secrecy. It can also help you make huge savings online.
The tracker blocker stops a profile from being built in the first place and prevents intrusive adverts from appearing on websites. It also stops intimate details like your IP address, location, family, and political views from being scraped.
Best of all, online stores will no longer be able to recognize recent purchases or identify whether you have high-purchasing intent on items. Ordinarily, they’d jack up the prices to maximize their profits. But with a tracker blocker, they’ll offer you the best prices to incentivize you to spend, helping you save big on every purchase
4. Monitor and protect networks
While hackers often use tools to attack networks, you can use hacker tools to turn the tables, spot vulnerabilities, monitor usage, and block people from gaining access in the first place.
One of the best tools to do this is Angry IP Scanner, a free, simple, and speedy IP address and port scanner. It doesn’t require an installation and has already been downloaded over 29 million times.
It has many uses, including simple tasks like making an inventory of connected devices and extracting information about them, including the devices’ names and who is logged in at a specific time. You can even execute more advanced commands, like assigning static IP addresses and blocking users from using your Wi-Fi to ensure your network is closed off and protected.
5. Verify images by reversing the search
In this day of fake news and impersonations, verifying an image and seeing where it originated can be a valuable way to protect yourself against cyberattacks, such as phishing, identity fraud, and catfishing scams.
Reverse image searching lets you enter a photo and see where it appears online. This can help you trace an image’s origins to validate its authenticity. Two of the best tools include Pimeyes and Google Lens.
Pimeyes is an advanced facial recognition search engine that can be used to mitigate identity fraud and catfishing scams. And as vain as it sounds, you can even search your own face to monitor your digital footprint and see if your image is being used somewhere without your permission.
You might also consider using Google Lens, a free image recognition search engine that allows you to enter any image and find similar, relevant results. Replacing the older Google reverse service, Google Lens is well-suited for cross-referencing product images to avoid elaborate shopping scams.
