Cryptography

 

Using Cryptography Tools

There are various cryptography tools available in the market. In this exercise, you will learn about different types of cryptography tools and how they can be used to encrypt and secure the information.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this exercise, you will be able to:

• Prepare Files and Folders for Encryption
• Install and Use Crypt4Free
• Download and Install HashCalc
• Use the HashCalc Tool
• Use MD5 Calculator
• Perform Full Disk Encryption

Your Devices

You will be using the following devices in this lab. Please power these on now.

• PLABDC01 - (Windows Server 2019 - Domain Server)
• PLABDM01 - (Windows Server 2019 - Member)

Task 1 - Prepare Files and Folders for Encryption

In a real scenario, the protection of sensitive information is paramount. The best method to protect information is to use encryption, which can be applied to both files and folders.

In this task, you will learn to prepare files and folders for encryption. To do this, perform the following steps:

Step 1

Ensure you have powered on the required devices. Connect to PLABDM01.

Figure 1.1 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Showing the desktop of PLABDM01.

Step 2

Close Server Manager and then, from the taskbar, click the File Explorer icon.

Figure 1.2 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking the File Explorer icon on the taskbar.

Step 3

In the left-hand pane of File Explorer, expand This PC and then select Local Disk (C:).

Figure 1.3 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Expanding This PC and selecting Local Disk (C:).

Step 4

In the right-hand pane, right-click on the white area and select New > Folder.

Figure 1.4 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Right-clicking in the white area, selecting New and then selecting Folder.

Step 5

In the new folder name text box, type the following:

labfiles

Press Enter.

Figure 1.5 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Entering the folder name as labfiles.

Step 6

Close the File Explorer window.

Figure 1.6 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Closing the File Explorer window.

Step 7

In the Type here to search text box, type the following:

Internet Explorer

From the search results, select Internet Explorer.

Figure 1.7 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Selecting Internet Explorer from the search results.

Step 8

The Intranet Website is displayed. On the Intranet homepage, click Tools.

Figure 1.8 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Tools on the Intranet homepage.

Step 9

On the Tools Webpage, click Hacking Tools.

Figure 1.9 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Hacking Tools on the Intranet homepage.

Step 10

Locate the md5calculator_setup.exe file and click on it.

Figure 1.10 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking on the md5calculator_setup.exe file.

Step 11

In the notification bar, click the down arrow and select Save as.

Figure 1.11 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking the Save as option in the notification bar.

Step 12

In the Save As dialog box navigate to the Local Disk C:\labfiles folder and click Save.

Figure 1.12 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Save on the Save As dialog box.

Step 13

Close the notification bar.

Keep the Internet Explorer window open.

Figure 1.13 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Closing the notification bar.

Task 2 - Install and Use Crypt4Free

Using an Encryption Package, you can encrypt and decrypt files and folders. It contains several encryption algorithms that can be used to protect sensitive information.

In this lab you will be using the package Crypt4Free

To install and use Crypt4Free, perform the following steps:

Step 1

Ensure you have powered the required devices, and Connect to PLABDM01.

Internet Explorer should be open with the Hacking Tools page displayed.

Figure 1.14 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Displaying the Hacking Tools page.

Step 2

Click the the address bar and type in

http://www.aeppro.com/products/free.shtml

Press Enter

Figure 1.15 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking the ape.msi file.

Step 3

Scroll down and click on Download “Crypt4Free” (crypt4free setup.exe),

When the notification appears click the down arrow and select Save as.

Figure 1.16 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking the Save as option in the notification bar.

Step 4

In the Save As dialog box navigate to the Local Disk C:\labfiles folder and click Save.

Figure 1.17 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Save on the Save As dialog box.

Step 5

In the notification bar, click Run.

Figure 1.18 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Run on the notification bar.

Step 6

In the Crypt4Free Setup dialog box, select I accept the terms in the License Agreement and click Install.

Figure 1.19 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Install on the Please read the Advanced Encryption Package 2017 License Agreement page.

Step 7

The installation process starts.

Figure 1.20 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Showing the installation process of Advanced Encryption Package 2017.

Step 8

After the installation process is completed, On the Completed the Advanced Crypt4Free page, click Finish.

Figure 1.21 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Finish on the Completed the Advanced Encryption Package 2017 Setup Wizard page.

Step 9

Minimize the Internet Explorer window. Click the Windows charm, expand Crypt4Free and then select Crypt4Free.

Figure 1.22 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Selecting Advanced Encryption Package 2017 menu option.

Step 10

The Crypt4Free application is displayed.

From the left-hand pane, expand the C: drive, select labfiles, and click Encrypt.

Figure 1.23 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Expanding C drive and clicking Encrypt.

Step 11

The cursor appears in the Password textbox. Type the following password:

Passw0rd

In the Again textbox, type the following password:

Passw0rd

Click Encrypt Now!

Figure 1.24 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Entering and confirming the password and then clicking Encrypt Now!.

Step 12

The encryption process now starts.

Figure 1.25 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Showing the encryption process.

Step 13

The files are now encrypted. The bottom section of the left pane, Logging, displays the log for the encryption process.

Figure 1.26 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Showing the encryption events in the Logging section.

Step 14

Open File Explorer and navigate to the C:\labfiles folder. Note that for each file, a new file with the key icon has been created. This is the encrypted file.

Double-click md5calculator_setup.exe.

Figure 1.27 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Showing the c:\labfiles folder with the encrypted files and double-clicking the md5calculator_setup.exe.

Step 15

The Enter Password dialog box is displayed.

Enter the following password in the Password textbox:

Passw0rd

Click Decrypt.

Figure 1.28 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Entering the password in the Enter Password dialog box and clicking Proceed.

Step 16

The Setup - MD5 Calculator wizard is displayed. Click Cancel.

Note: If a notification appears stating the file already exists, click on Yes

Figure 1.29 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Cancel on the Welcome to the MD5 Calculator Setup Wizard page of the Setup - MD5 Calculator wizard.

Step 17

The Exit Setup dialog box is displayed. Click Yes.

Close the File Explorer window.

Figure 1.30 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking No on the Exit Setup dialog box.

Step 18

You are back on the Crypt4Free window. Expand labfiles.

Select md5calculator_setup.exe.aep and click Decrypt.

Figure 1.31 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Selecting md5alculator_setup.exe and clicking Decrypt.

Step 19

The cursor is moved into the Password textbox.

Enter the following password in the Passw0rd textbox:

Passw0rd

Click Decrypt Now!.

The decryption process will now start.

Figure 1.32 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Entering the password and clicking Decrypt Now!.

Step 20

Now, the file is now decrypted. In the Logging section, the status of the file is now displayed.

Figure 1.33 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Showing the decryption events in the Logging section.

Close the Crypt4Free window.

Task 3 - Download and Install HashCalc

HashCalc allows you to check 13 popular hash and checksum algorithms.

In this task, you will learn to use HashCalc.

Step 1

Ensure you have powered the required devices, Connect to PLABDM01. Restore the Internet Explorer window from the taskbar.

Navigate back to http://intranet and go to Tools > Hacking Tools

Figure 1.34 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Showing Hacking Tools page.

Step 2

On the [..] > Tools > Hacking Tools page, scroll down and locate and click hashcalc.zip.

Figure 1.35 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking the hashcalc.zip file.

Step 3

On the notification toolbar, click Open.

Figure 1.36 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Open on the notification toolbar.

Step 4

File Explorer opens and redirects you to the folder where the hashcalc setup file is saved.

Double-click the setup file.

Figure 1.37 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Double-clicking the setup file in the File Explorer window.

Step 5

The Setup - HashCalc wizard is displayed. On the Welcome to the HashCalc Setup Wizard page, click Next.

Figure 1.38 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Next on the Welcome to the HashCalc Setup Wizard page of the Setup - HashCalc wizard.

Step 6

On the License Agreement page, select I accept the agreement and click Next.

Figure 1.39 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Selecting I accept the agreement and clicking Next.

Step 7

On the Select Destination Location page, accept the default settings and click Next.

Figure 1.40 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Keeping the default destination path and clicking Next.

Step 8

On the Select Start Menu Folder page, keep the default menu name and click Next.

Figure 1.41 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Keeping the default menu name and clicking Next.

Step 9

On the Select Additional Tasks page, keep the default selection of Create a desktop icon, and click Next.

Figure 1.42 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Keeping the default selection of Select Additional Tasks and click Next.

Step 10

On the Ready to Install page, click Install.

Figure 1.43 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Click Install on the Ready to Install page.

Step 11

On the Completing the HashCalc Setup Wizard page, de-select all checkboxes and click Finish.

Figure 1.44 Screenshot of PLABDM01: De-selecting the checkboxes and clicking Finish.

Close the File Explorer window.

Minimize Internet Explorer as you will need this intranet web page later.

Task 4 - Using the HashCalc Tool

After installing the HashCalc tool, you can start using it. To start using the HashCalc tool, perform the following steps:

Step 1

Ensure you have powered the required devices, Connect to PLABDM01.

Double-click the HashCalc icon.

Figure 1.45 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Double-clicking the HashCalc icon on the desktop.

Step 2

The HashCalc dialog box is displayed.

In the Data Format drop-down, the File option is selected by default.

Figure 1.46 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Showing the HashCalc dialog box with File selected as the Data Format.

Step 3

Next to the Data textbox, click [....]

Figure 1.47 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking the eclipse button next to the Data textbox.

Step 4

The Find dialog box is displayed.

Click the down arrow on the Look in drop-down and select Local Disk (C:).

Figure 1.48 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Selecting Local Disk (C:) from the Look In drop-down.

Step 5

Double-click on the labfiles folder or select and click Open.

Figure 1.49 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Selecting labfiles and clicking Open in the Find dialog box.

Step 6  

Select the md5calculator_setup file and click Open.

Figure 1.50 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Selecting md5calculator_setup file and clicking Open.

Step 7

The md5calculator_setup.exe file is now added.

You can select the hash or checksum algorithm that you can want to check for this file.

For this task, you will use the default selection.

Click Calculate.

Figure 1.51 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Showing the file selection and then clicking Calculate.

Step 8

The result is displayed instantly. You can use the hash and checksum and compare it with the original hash and checksum of the file.

Typically, all files provide them to ensure that the file has not been tempered with.

Figure 1.52 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Showing the calculated hashes.

Step 9

Click Close.

Figure 1.53 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Close on the HashCalc dialog box.

Task 5 - Install MD5 Calculator

MD5 is a freeware that has some of the following features:

• MD5 Hash Extractor
• MD5 Check
• MD5 Checksum Verifier
• MD5 Hash Viewer

In this task, you will learn to install the MD5 Calculator.

Note: In one of the previous tasks, you had downloaded the MD5 Calculator installer in the c:\labfiles folder.

To install the MD5 Calculator, perform the following steps:

Step 1

Ensure you have powered the required devices, Connect to PLABDM01.

From the taskbar, click the File Explorer icon.

Figure 1.54 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking the File Explorer icon.

Step 2

In the File Explorer window, select Local Disk (C:) in the left-hand pane and then double-click labfiles in the right-hand pane.

Figure 1.55 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Double-clicking the labfiles folder.

Step 3

Double-click md5calculator_setup.

Figure 1.56 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Double-clicking the md5calculator_setup file.

Step 4

The Setup - MD5 Calculator wizard is displayed. On the Welcome to the MD5 Calculator Setup Wizard dialog box is displayed, click Next.

Figure 1.57 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Next on the Welcome to the MD5 Calculator Setup Wizard page.

Step 5

On the Select Destination Location page, keep the default installation path and click Next.

Figure 1.58 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Keeping the default installation location and clicking Next.

Step 6

On the Select Start Menu Folder page, keep the default menu name and click Next.

Figure 1.59 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Keeping the default menu path and clicking Next.

Step 7

On the Select Additional Tasks page, keep the default selection and click Next.

Figure 1.60 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Next on the Select Additional Tasks page.

Step 8

On the Ready to Install page, review the settings, and click Install.

Figure 1.61 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Install on the Ready to Install page.

Step 9

On the Completing the MD5 Calculator Setup Wizard page, clear the Launch MD5 Calculator checkbox.

Click Finish and close the File Explorer window.

Figure 1.62 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Finish on the Completing the MD5 Calculator Setup Wizard page.

Task 6 - Using MD5 Calculator

After installing the MD5 Calculator, you can now start using it. To start using MD5 Calculator application, perform the following steps:

Step 1

Ensure you have powered on the required devices, and Connect to PLABDM01.

Double-click the MD5 Calculator icon on the desktop.

Figure 1.63 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Double-clicking MD5 Calculator icon on the desktop.

Step 2

The MD5 Calculator dialog box is displayed.

Click Add Files.

Figure 1.64 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Add Files on the MD5 Calculator dialog box.

Step 3

The Open dialog box is displayed. In the left pane, expand the Local Disk (C:), and then select the labfiles folder.

On the details pane, select aep.

Click Open.

Figure 1.65 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Selecting the aep file and clicking Open.

Step 4

The aep file is now added to the list.

Click Calculate.

Figure 1.66 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Showing the added aep file and then clicking Calculate.

Step 5

Note that the MD5 value is displayed in the Current MD5 Value textbox.

Figure 1.67 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Showing the calculated hash in the MD5 Calculator dialog box.

Step 6

Click the HashCalc icon on the desktop.

Note: In a real-world scenario, most software developers / organizations will put the MD5 or SHA hashes next to the files that you need to download. You can also search for the software name in a search engine and verify the hashes. In this task, you will re-generate the hashes of the same file using HashCalc and then compare them in MD5 Calculator.

Figure 1.68 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Double-clicking the HashCalc icon on the desktop.

Step 7

Next to the Data textbox, click [....]

Figure 1.69 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking the eclipse button next to the Data textbox.

Step 8

The Find dialog box is displayed.

Click the down arrow on the Look in drop-down and select Local Disk (C:).

Figure 1.70 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Selecting Local Disk (C:) from the drop-down.

Step 9

Double-click on the labfiles folder or select and click Open.

Figure 1.71 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Selecting the labfiles folder and clicking Open.

Step 10  

Select the aep file and click Open.

Figure 1.72 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Selecting the aep file and clicking Open.

Step 11

The aep.msi file is now added.

As before, you can select the hash or checksum algorithm that you can want to check for this file.

For this task, you will use the default selection.

Click Calculate.

Figure 1.73 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking the Calculate button on the HashCalc dialog box.

Step 12

The hash values are displayed. In the MD5 hash value field, select the hash, right-click and then select Copy.

Figure 1.74 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Right-clicking on the MD5 hash and selecting Copy.

Step 13

Click Close.

Figure 1.75 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Close on the HashCalc dialog box.

Step 14

Go back to the MD5 Calculator application.

Place the cursor inside the Verify MD5 Value textbox, right-click and select Paste.

Figure 1.76 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Right-clicking in the Verify MD5 Value textbox and clicking Paste.

Step 15

Click Compare.

Figure 1.77 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking the Compare button in the MD5 Calculator dialog box.

Step 16

The Information dialog box is displayed.

The Information dialog box is displayed with a message: “OK, two MD5 values are equal.” Click OK to close the Information dialog box.

Click OK.

Figure 1.78 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking OK on the Information dialog box.

Step 17

Close the MD5 Calculator dialog box.

Figure 1.79 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Closing the MD5 Calculator dialog box.

Task 7 - Perform Full Disk Encryption

Full Disk Encryption encrypts the contents of a drive, which also includes the encryption of bootable partition. There are several tools available in the market that can perform full disk encryption. In this task, you will use GiliSoft Full Disk Encryption, which is specifically designed for laptops and devices that are on the move constantly. It encrypts the hard drive with one or partitions. It has the capability to encrypt the system partition as well.

To use GiliSoft Full Disk Encryption, perform the following steps:

Step 1

Ensure you have powered the required devices, Connect to PLABDM01.

Restore Internet Explorer and ensure that you are in [..] > Tools > Hacking Tools page.

Locate and click full-disk-encryption.exe.

Figure 1.80 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Locating and clicking the full-disk-encryption.exe file on the Hacking Tools page.

Step 2

On the notification toolbar, click Run.

Alert: If you are shown that the file is not commonly downloaded and could harm your computer, select Actions, More Options drop down and Run Anyway.

Figure 1.81 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Run in the notification bar.

Step 3

The Setup - GiliSoft Full Disk Encryption wizard is displayed. On the Welcome to the GiliSoft Full Disk Encryption Setup Wizard dialog box, click Next.

Figure 1.82 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Next on the Welcome to the GiliSoft Full Disk Encryption Setup Wizard page.

Step 4

On the Select Destination Location page, keep the default installation location and click Next.

Figure 1.83 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Keeping the default installation path and clicking Next on the Select Destination Location page.

Step 5

On the Select Start Menu Folder page, keep the default menu name and click Next.

Figure 1.84 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Keeping the default menu name on the Select Start Menu Folder page and clicking Next.

Step 6

On the Select Additional Tasks page, keep the default selection and click Next.

Figure 1.85 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Keeping the default options on the Select Additional Tasks page and clicking Next.

Step 7

On the Ready to Install page, review the settings, and click Install.

Figure 1.86 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Install on the Ready to Install page.

The Installing page displays the installation progress.

Figure 1.87 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Showing the installation progress on the Installing page.

Step 8

After the installation is complete, you are navigated to the Completing the GiliSoft Full Disk Encryption Setup Wizard page. Ensure that Yes, restart the computer now option is selected.

Click Finish.

Figure 1.88 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Keeping the restart option and clicking Finish.

Step 9

Connect to PLABDM01 after 1 minute.

Once you are connected to PLABDM01, double-click the Gilisoft Full Disk Encryption 3.5.0 icon on the Desktop.

Figure 1.89 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Double-clicking the GiliSoft Disk Encryption 3.5.0 icon on the desktop.

Step 10

On the Software Registration dialog box, click Evaluate.

Figure 1.90 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Evaluate on the Software Registration dialog box.

Step 11

The GiliSoft Full Disk Encryption 3.5.0 dialog box is displayed.

Select the C:\ [System] checkbox and click Encrypt.

Figure 1.91 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Selecting C:\ [system] and then clicking Encrypt.

Step 12

The Software Registration dialog box is again displayed.

Click Evaluate.

Figure 1.92 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Clicking Evaluate on the Software Registration dialog box.

Step 13

The Set password dialog box is displayed. In the Password and Confirm Password text boxes, type the following password:

Passw0rd

Click OK.

Figure 1.93 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Entering the password in the Password and Confirm Password text boxes and clicking OK.

Step 14

The disk encryption process starts.

This process will take several minutes to finish, and you can choose to wait or abort this lab and proceed to the next module.

Figure 1.94 Screenshot of PLABDM01: Showing the disk encryption process started.