This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions.
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Are you trying to guess someone's password but don't know where to start? If you want to get into a phone, email, or other app or website without the password, there are a few easy tricks you can try to guess the right password. While hackers use advanced software to crack passwords instead of guessing, you might be able to guess a password just by gathering some basic information. Just keep in mind that accessing another person's accounts may not just make them angry, it may also be illegal.[1] Only use these tips to guess your own password or with a friend's permission.
Things You Should Know
- Find out the password requirements for the site so you know how many letters, numbers, and symbols you'll have to guess.
- Most Android and iPhone screen PINs are only 4 or 6 digits long, making them easy to guess.
- Many people use the names of their pets, partners, favorite sports teams, along with significant numbers in passwords.
- Entering the wrong password or PIN too many times will usually lock you out of the service or device you're trying to access.
Steps
Community Q&A
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QuestionIf you know one of his/her passwords, could it be that they used the same password?Community AnswerIt could. It depends on the person. Some people reuse the same password or variations of it, others use different passwords for everything.
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QuestionWhat should I do if I forgot my Wi-Fi password?Community AnswerYou can reset your router. Often your password is listed on the router. Check out How to Find Your WiFi Password when You Forgot It for more advice.
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QuestionWhat do I do if I remember my password but forgot my e-mail?Community AnswerAsk someone who has e-mailed you before what your e-mail is. When they send the e-mail, they have to enter your e-mail address, so it is most likely on their sent list.
Warnings
- The program that owns the account you are trying to guess the password of will often have a "safety valve." For example, you might only be able to make 3 incorrect attempts every 2 minutes. Triggering the limit too much, especially for cell phone PIN codes, can lead to the device or account shutting down and never letting you try it again.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Never try to guess the password if it is illegal (and it is illegal, in many circumstances).[9]⧼thumbs_response⧽
- If you're not sure what you're doing is illegal, don't risk crossing the legal boundaries and getting yourself in trouble.⧼thumbs_response⧽
References
- ↑ https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/criminal-defense/when-is-computer-hacking-a-crime/
- ↑ https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2013/11/04/anatomy-of-a-password-disaster-adobes-giant-sized-cryptographic-blunder/
- ↑ https://www.rd.com/article/passwords-hackers-guess-first/
- ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204060
- ↑ https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/news/national-pet-day-password-advice
- ↑ https://blog.avast.com/strong-password-ideas
- ↑ https://www.openwall.com/john/
- ↑ https://www.americanbar.org/groups/gpsolo/publications/gp_solo/2019/november-december/perils-spyware/
- ↑ https://metro.co.uk/2016/07/19/man-gets-four-years-jail-for-guessing-someones-password-and-reading-emails-6016191/
About This Article
If you’re trying to guess a password, start by trying one of the most commonly used passwords, like “Password” or “12345678.” If that doesn’t work, see if the person’s name or the name of their romantic partner or pet gets you into their account. You can also take a shot at somebody’s password by entering dates or other meaningful numbers, such as their birthday, street address, or graduation class. For people you know well, try their hobby or interest, like “swimming,” or their favorite movie or TV show. For more advice, like how to use “hint” options and password requirements to guess a password, scroll down!