[nylug-talk] Decrypting Files without Key

[Michael B Allen]

On Mon, 13 Nov 2006 22:28:43 -0500
Alex Gill <alex at tkwx.us> wrote:

> Hi List,
> 
> Someone at work asked me today if he can decrypt files he has lost the 
> key to.  The encrypting was done with whatever native tools WinXP has to 
> do so.  My answer to him was to wait ten years -- by that time, the 
> decryption process would likely be easier.  Any other suggestions?

It all depends on the algorithm and the key used. If the algorithm was DES
(doubt it) then I think it's possible to brute force that. But the most
important factor would be if he can remember something about the key. For
example if he remembers that the key was short, one word, and only ascii
characters with one number at the end then you could write a program to
try all the possible keys.

Mike

-- 
Michael B Allen
PHP Active Directory SSO
http://www.ioplex.com/