Master Practical Office File Password Recovery: Ethical Hacking Techniques

What you will learn:

Build a secure virtual hacking lab
Master fundamental password cracking principles
Crack passwords on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files
Utilize top free password recovery tools effectively
Install and use password cracking tools on Windows
Accelerate password cracking with GPU-based attacks
Bypass read-only restrictions in Excel files
Remove read-only passwords from Word and PowerPoint
Leverage free online password recovery resources
Recover passwords from older Word documents

Description

Become a proficient office file password recovery expert!

This comprehensive course provides a hands-on, practical approach to recovering passwords for Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. Whether you're a cybersecurity enthusiast or simply need to regain access to locked documents, this course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to handle various password-protected office files.

Starting from the absolute basics, we guide you through setting up your hacking lab environment (using Kali Linux within a virtual machine), and then delve into effective password cracking methods. You will explore both CPU and GPU-based attacks using industry-standard tools like John the Ripper and Hashcat on both Windows and Kali Linux operating systems. This course provides step-by-step instructions, practical demonstrations, and downloadable PDF presentations for each attack, ensuring a complete and readily accessible learning experience.

Beyond password cracking, we also cover crucial techniques for:

Unlocking read-only Excel files.
Removing sheet and workbook protection from Excel.
Removing read-only restrictions from Word and PowerPoint.
Utilizing free online password recovery services.
Leveraging paid tools to enhance the cracking process.
Recovering passwords from older Word documents with specialized utilities.

This course emphasizes practical application, minimizing dry theory, and maximizing hands-on experience. You will gain mastery over numerous tools and techniques, building a solid foundation for advanced cybersecurity studies and real-world applications. All attacks are performed in a controlled, ethical environment. This course is purely for educational purposes.

Curriculum

Introduction

This introductory section sets the stage for the course. The "Introduction to the Course" lecture provides a general overview, while the "Who AM I?" lecture introduces the instructor and their expertise, establishing credibility and building rapport with the learners.

Preparing Your Lab Environment

This section focuses on setting up your virtual lab environment. The "Install Kali Linux on VMWARE" lecture provides a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to successfully install Kali Linux on a virtual machine using VMware, ensuring learners have the proper environment to practice the techniques taught in later sections. This is crucial for learners with no prior knowledge of setting up hacking environments, allowing them to replicate and apply what they learn effectively.

Office File Password Recovery Techniques

This core section dives into practical password recovery methods. Lectures cover using John the Ripper and Hashcat for password cracking across various office file types (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) on both Kali Linux and Windows operating systems. Additional lectures focus on bypassing restrictions for read-only documents, removing sheet and workbook protection from Excel, and utilizing both free and paid password recovery services. This section also includes using specialized utilities like Guaword for older Word documents. Each lecture is designed to be hands-on, with clear instructions and real-world examples.

Bonus Section

This bonus section might include additional tips, tricks, or supplementary material to further enhance the learning experience. It serves as a valuable addition to the core content, reinforcing learning and providing extra value for students.