Cracking a Password: Important info at a glance

Cracking a password means gaining access to devices or accounts even though you don't know the password. With someone else's password, this can have serious legal consequences. You should also be careful with your own account on a network or website.

What you should know about password cracking

Password "cracking" refers to overcoming a password to gain access to protected data. Often, the simple reason here is that users have forgotten their own passwords for their devices or accounts. Cracking your own password is not necessarily illegal, as you are not harming anyone and you have the right to access the protected data. However, in case of doubt, you must be able to prove that you are the rightful owner of data, devices or accounts to avoid legal consequences. Cracking someone else's passwords is, after all, a serious criminal offense. The legal dimension is primarily regulated by Section 202a (1) of the Criminal Code. This deals with the consequences of unauthorized access to third-party data. The offense, particularly in connection with overcoming access security measures such as passwords, is punishable by a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine.

This is what you should know

1. On mobile devices or computers, you can bypass the password by resetting the device or reinstalling the operating system.
2. Password-protected files can be opened with special programs.
3. Accounts from Facebook or other social media cannot be hacked by laypeople. Instead, contact customer service and provide evidence that the account is yours if you cannot recover the password.