## Evaluation Criteria (Normalized) |Field|Description| |---|---| |**Category**|Primary operational role| |**Deployment Model**|Local / Distributed / Online| |**Hash Coverage**|Breadth of supported hash types| |**Scalability**|Ability to scale across hosts or GPUs| |**Automation**|Task scheduling, agents, APIs| |**Visualization**|Dashboards, reporting, progress insight| |**Data Persistence**|Local DB, external DB, or stateless| |**Primary Strength**|Where the tool excels| |**Primary Limitation**|Structural or operational constraint| |**Best Use Case**|When this tool is most appropriate| --- ## Local / Standalone Cracking & Analysis Tools |Tool|Category|Deployment|Hash Coverage|Automation|Visualization|Data Persistence|Primary Strength|Primary Limitation|Best Use Case| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |**Hash Suite**|Cracking|Local|Windows-focused (LM, NTLM)|Moderate (rules, providers)|Minimal|Local project DB|Easy NTLM workflows, rule support|Limited hash diversity, Windows-centric|Small to medium NTLM analysis| |**Pipal**|Analysis|Local|Any cracked dataset|N/A|Text-based reports|Stateless|Deep statistical insight|Requires cracked data|Post-crack behavioral analysis| |**PACK**|Analysis / Prep|Local|N/A (wordlist-focused)|Scriptable|None|Stateless|Wordlist optimization|Not a cracker|Pre-attack preparation| |**Hashcat** _(implicit)_|Cracking|Local|Extremely broad|High|CLI|Stateless|Performance & flexibility|Learning curve|Core cracking engine| --- ## Distributed Cracking Platforms |Tool|Category|Deployment|Scalability|Automation|Visualization|Data Persistence|Primary Strength|Primary Limitation|Best Use Case| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |**Hashtopolis**|Distributed Cracking|Server + Agents|High|Full task orchestration|Web UI|Central DB|Mature ecosystem|Operational overhead|Large, managed environments| |**HashStack**|Distributed Cracking|Centralized|Medium|Moderate|Web UI|Central DB|Simplicity|Smaller community|Mid-scale cracking| |**DISTHC**|Distributed Cracking|Peer-based|Medium|Script-driven|None|Stateless|Lightweight distribution|No UI|DIY cluster setups| |**CrackLord**|Distributed Cracking|Server-based|Medium|Web-managed|Web UI|Central DB|Ease of use|Less active|Shared cracking labs| |**Hashtopus**|Distributed Cracking|Server + Agents|High|Full|Web UI|Central DB|Windows-friendly|Setup complexity|Enterprise Windows-heavy shops| |**Clortho**|Distributed Cracking|Cluster-based|Medium|Script-driven|Minimal|Stateless|Custom workflows|Limited documentation|Research environments| --- ## Visualization & Management Platforms | Tool | Category | Deployment | Visualization | Automation | Data Persistence | Primary Strength | Primary Limitation | Best Use Case | | --------------- | -------------------- | --------------- | -------------- | ---------- | --------------------------- | ------------------- | ------------------ | ------------------------ | | **HashView** | Visualization / Mgmt | Server + Agents | Rich dashboard | Moderate | Internal DB (heavy storage) | Operator visibility | Storage growth | Long-running engagements | --- ## Online Cracking Services |Tool|Category|Deployment|Hash Coverage|Speed|Data Control|Primary Strength|Primary Limitation|Best Use Case| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |**crack.sh**|Online Cracking|Cloud|Limited (DES, NTLM)|Very high|Low|Speed|Privacy tradeoff|Quick feasibility tests| |**CrackStation**|Online Lookup|Cloud|Common hashes|Instant|Low|Fast checks|Limited depth|Triage| |**OnlineHashCrack**|Online Cracking|Cloud|Broad|High|Low|Turnkey cracking|Cost / data exposure|Time-limited engagements| |**HashHunters**|Online Cracking|Cloud|Mixed|Medium|Low|Convenience|Reliability|Opportunistic checks| |**Hash.help**|Online Lookup|Cloud|Common|Instant|Low|Ease of use|Limited scope|Validation| --- ## Strategic Observations (Impact Assessment) ### 1. Tool Choice Reflects **Scale, Not Sophistication** - Local tools excel at **insight and control** - Distributed platforms exist to manage **time-to-result**, not intelligence - Online services trade **privacy for speed** ### 2. Analysis ≠ Cracking - Tools like **Pipal** and **PACK** produce _strategic value_ - Cracking engines produce _tactical outcomes_ - Visualization tools bridge operator cognition and aid in contextualizing data ### 3. Centralized Databases Introduce Risk - Platforms with persistent DBs (**HashView, Hashtopolis**) require: - Storage planning - Access controls - Retention policies ### 4. No Single Tool Is Sufficient Effective workflows typically combine: - **Preparation** → PACK - **Execution** → Hashcat / Hash Suite - **Distribution** → Hashtopolis - **Analysis** → Pipal - **Visualization** → HashView --- ## Recommended Normalized Stack | Phase | Tool Class | | ----------- | ----------------------- | | Preparation | PACK, custom wordlists | | Execution | Hashcat / Hash Suite | | Scaling | Hashtopolis / Hashtopus | | Analysis | Pipal, Pack | [[Resources]] [[Home]]