I password protected a ZIP file a long time ago and can’t remember the password. Is there a way I can get it back, or remove the password?

  • slazer2au
    23•2 years ago

    Depends on what software you used to zip it and which format… zip,rar,7zip,tar.gz

    you could use zip2john or John the ripper to brute force the password but that takes time

    • The Giant KoreanOP
      4•2 years ago

      I actually did try JtR but it was taking forever. Original format is .zip.

      • @RookiMA
        6•2 years ago

        I would take that as your biggest hope. Do you know the length of the password?

          • Atemu
            2•2 years ago

            How much is “fairly long”?

            What do you know about the password?

            • The Giant KoreanOP
              1•2 years ago

              Like 15 characters or so is usually how long my PWs are.

              • Atemu
                3•2 years ago

                If that’s all random characters, you’re not going to crack that by brute force in your lifetime.

  • @[email protected]
    19•2 years ago

    Depends. Some older versions of zip encryption are vulnerable to a known plaintext attack. That is, if you know part of the content of one of the original files, you can recover the password. This utility might be helpful. bkcrack

  • Eavolution
    3•2 years ago

    You could try zip2john and John the Ripper or Hashcat (Hashcat may be quicker)

  • Sterben
    1•2 years ago

    deleted by creator