In password cracking, what is the second step after creating a wordlist?

In password cracking, what is the second step after creating a wordlist?

• A. Hash the wordlist
• B. Compare hashed wordlist to target hash
• C. Display the plaintext password
• D. Stop

Answer: (A)

Hashes are what you compare against the target hash, so after you assemble a wordlist the next step is to hash each entry using the same hash function that produced the target. This converts the plaintext candidates into candidate hashes, allowing a meaningful comparison. If you tried to compare plaintext words directly to a hash, there would be no match. Once the wordlist entries are converted to hashes, you then compare those hashes to the target hash to find a match and reveal the corresponding plaintext.

Hashes are what you compare against the target hash, so after you assemble a wordlist the next step is to hash each entry using the same hash function that produced the target. This converts the plaintext candidates into candidate hashes, allowing a meaningful comparison. If you tried to compare plaintext words directly to a hash, there would be no match. Once the wordlist entries are converted to hashes, you then compare those hashes to the target hash to find a match and reveal the corresponding plaintext.