Ever been trying to log into a Windows computer for a few minutes, and you finally realize that you forgot the password? There's a way to crack the password, and it doesn't involve reformatting and reinstalling Windows.

The solution is called @stake LC4 (formerly L0phtCrack). LC4 attacks your Windows machine with a combination of dictionary and brute force attacks. LC4 can crack almost all common passwords in seconds. More advanced passwords with numbers and characters takes longer.

How it works

Windows NT, 2000, and XP passwords are stored as encrypted hash marks. LC4 attacks these hash marks with hundreds of passwords per minute. Eventually the correct password will be sent and then displayed to the screen.

Good intentions

• System administrators can find weak passwords within minutes. Sys admins can then change the passwords to make them more secure.
  
• LC4 can be used to access computers of users who forget passwords.
  
• In companies, it can be used to access PCs of employees who have left the company.

Bad intentions

• Hackers can use LC4 to sniff passwords over networks.
  
• Hackers can install this application onto a primary domain controller and steal hundreds of passwords within minutes.

Download evaluation version of LC4