I would like to know why there is a possibility for password lists such as NTLMv1 to be attacked since Windows utilizes hashing for storing passwords and is a one way function.Â
There is a possibility of the passwords that are be attacked because they are stored in a file that is vulnerable to attack. Windows operating system is generally vulnerable to virus attacks as compared to the linux operating system, and therefore when the virus attacks the windows operating system and brings it down, it means that all data that is stored in it will be affected too. And therefore it is always a good practice to store copies of the passwords or any data that are useful on another media for instance an external operating system or another computer that you are sure it is protected from virus threats.
-Lee Seen
