ophcrack
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Description:
Microsoft Windows password cracker using rainbow tables
Type: Formula  |  Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Security
Tags: security password-recovery forensics windows rainbow-tables
Install: brew install ophcrack
About:
Ophcrack is a password cracker for Windows that uses rainbow tables to recover passwords from hashes. It is a highly efficient implementation of the time-memory trade-off technique, allowing users to crack passwords in seconds without needing brute-force attacks. The tool is particularly effective against LM hashes and weaker NTLM hashes found in older Windows versions.
Key Features:
  • Automated hash cracking using precomputed rainbow tables
  • Live CD available for booting a system without installation
  • GUI and command-line interface options
  • Supports Windows LM and NTLM hashes
Use Cases:
  • Recovering lost Windows administrator or user passwords
  • Auditing and testing the strength of Windows passwords in a corporate environment
  • Digital forensics investigations
Alternatives:
  • John the Ripper – A versatile password cracking tool that supports many hash types and uses brute-force or dictionary attacks, unlike Ophcrack's reliance on rainbow tables.
  • Hashcat – A high-performance, GPU-accelerated password recovery tool that supports a vast number of hashing algorithms.
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Sep 16, 2025 9:40am 1 VERSION_BUMP 04a724c6