Rainbow Table Attack

A precomputed table used to reverse cryptographic hash functions and crack password hashes.

Understanding:

A Rainbow Table Attack is a precomputed hash-cracking technique where attackers use large databases of precomputed hash values to quickly retrieve plaintext passwords.

Common Applications and Use Cases:

Breaking Weakly Hashed Passwords – Faster than brute force attacks.
Exploiting Unprotected Credential Databases – Targets older unsalted hashing algorithms.
Recovering Passwords for Encrypted Files – Can be used to crack MS Office, ZIP, and database files.

Best Practices and Security Considerations:

Use Salted Hashing (bcrypt, PBKDF2, Argon2) – Prevents rainbow table lookups.
Enforce Strong Password Policies – Reduces the likelihood of hash cracking.
Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Adds an additional security layer.