What Hash Format Are Windows Passwords Stored In?

When it comes to Windows passwords, they are not stored in plaintext for security reasons. Instead, Windows uses a hashing mechanism to store passwords, increasing security by converting the password into a scrambled format that is challenging to reverse engineer.

The specific hash format used by Windows operating system to store passwords is NTLM hash. NTLM, which stands for NT LAN Manager, is a suite of security protocols used by Windows systems for authentication. The actual hashing algorithm used for NTLM hash is a variant of MD4 (Message Digest 4).

It is essential to understand that while hashing passwords adds a layer of security, it is not foolproof. Cyber attackers can still use various techniques like brute force attacks or rainbow tables to attempt to crack hashed passwords. This is why using strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication is crucial for enhancing data security.