How to crack Password Using John The Ripper

Here I would like to share the steps of cracking linux password using John the Ripper.This information gained during my IT
Training in 2004.The training was actually on windows 2003 server, however, our trainer was keen enough to the additional knowledge of him

1. Download John-1.6.rpm or the latest version of it
2. install the package at the linux box
rpm -ivh John-1.6.rpm
3. cd /usr/local/bin/mypassword



4. create link
ln -s /usr/bin/john /usr/local/bin/unshadow
5. Now start with the cracking the password
cd /usr/local/bin/
unshadow /etc/passwd /etc/shadow > passwd
cp /etc/john.ini /usr/local/bin/
ls
john passwd

To undo the process

/usr/local/bin
rm john.pot restore
john.passwd