Wi-Fi Hacking: From Handshake Capture to Password Cracking (WPA2)

This article describes step by step the process of hacking a Wi-Fi network using Kali Linux and tools such as aircrack-ng and hashcat. The main stages include enabling monitor mode, capturing a handshake using a deauthentication attack, converting the capture file using hashcat.net/cap2hashcat, and brute-forcing the password using wordlists. The method works mainly against weak passwords and should only be tested on networks you own. Table of Contents Preparation Step 1: Monitoring the Air Step 2: Capturing the Handshake Step 3: Converting the Capture File Step 4: Brute Force with Hashcat Wordlists Conclusion Preparation First update the repositories and obtain superuser privileges: sudo su apt update && apt upgrade Step 1: Monitoring the Air Switch the network adapter to monitor mode so it can capture all packets within range. Check your wireless interface: iwconfig Look for the name of your Wi-Fi adapter (usually wlan0 ). Enable monitor mode: airmon-ng start wlan0 The interface name