In addition to zip archives, a RAR archive is also often chosen to combine files, compress them and assign a password. But what if I have to bypass the archive protection because I forgot the character combination to unzip? Then I have to crack the RAR file with a password - and for that there is “Passper for RAR”. It works in a similar way to the Passper apps for Word, Excel and PDF. However, the software specializes in RAR archives and cracking their passwords. Both with monthly access and with an annual license you can view and extract as many files as you like.
TL; DR: You can download the app here
Chapter in this post:
RAR archive Forgot your password? Remove protection with Passper!
RAR archives can be hidden on old hard disks, on CD-ROMs that were once used to back up data, or on a recovered USB stick that were once given a password. Isn't that a standard word used over and over again or an easy-to-remember combination of characters, then things get tricky. Viewing and extracting the compressed files seems almost impossible if you have forgotten the RAR archive password. But Passper helps if you really want to know what's lying around in it - or if you already know and want to finally view, edit or otherwise use the data. In addition to the free trial version, you can find with this link to the developer website also the full version subscription for $ 19,95 a month or $ 29,95 a year.
Use Passper Apps under Windows on PC or Mac
Unfortunately, the software for cracking passwords for archives and files is not available directly for macOS on the Apple Mac, but only for Windows. However, if you don't have a PC at hand, you can install a version of Windows on the Mac via a Boot Camp partition, with Parallels Desktop or with VMware. Passper for RAR is compatible with Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista and XP. There are also low system requirements such as 512 MB of RAM and a CPU with 1GHz. However, certain graphics cards (NVIDIA G80+, i.e. GT8600 to GTX1080 TI) are recommended because their computing power is used for the application.
By the way: Therefore you should not load any apps from CHIP, heise, Softonic & Co.
Crack RAR passwords with dictionary, mask or brute force attack
There are three different ways of cracking the RAR password and bypassing the corresponding protection with the Passper app, so-called "attacks". In the following I have listed a short description of each option so that you can proceed in a targeted manner:
- Dictionary attack: Use of a program-internal or your own dictionary to try out frequently used or likely passwords
- Mask Attack: Setting parameters such as the password length to speed up the process
- Brute-Force Attack: Attack without prior knowledge that takes all lengths and character combinations into account
Attention: Only share your own archives with the software!
You should of course only use the presented software to free your own RAR files, whose password you have forgotten, from their protection. Should you discard other RAR archives of their password in an unauthorized manner, then you are liable to prosecution in an emergency. Therefore, you should also get a declaration of consent in case you should remove the RAR file password for someone else. Or in short: stay on the road legally!
Related Articles
After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.