Cracking local Linux password hashes
In this recipe, we will crack Linux passwords using John the Ripper.
In this recipe, we will also simulate booting off a CD-ROM in order to crack the passwords using John the Ripper.
Getting ready
Let's ensure the following prerequisites:
- Your Kali machine is powered up
- You have some sample users and passwords setup on your Linux machine
How to do it...
We will now crack Linux password with John the Ripper:
- With your Windows machine off start by going into VirtualBox, clicking on the Linux VM, and click on
Settings
:

VirtualBox virtual machine screen
- From the settings menu click
Storage
. Click on the CD-ROM drive and choose the Kali ISO that you recently downloaded. Then clickOK
:

VirtualBox virtual machine storage settings
- Now start your Linux VM and it should automatically load the Kali CD. From the main menu select
Live (forensic mode)
.
Note
Watch the screen carefully depending on what operating system you are working with, you may be asked to boot off the CD...