Proactive Windows Security Explorer? (PWSEX?) is a password security test tool that's designed to allow Windows? NT, Windows? 2000, and Windows? XP-based systems administrators to identify and close security holes in their networks.

Password hacking is one of the most critical and commonly exploited network security threats. Too often, users like to use simple and easy-to-remember passwords such as repeating characters, simple words, and names. In addition, some network administrators forget to purge terminated employees from the system, force people to change passwords often, or lock out users after a number of failed attempts.

Proactive Windows Security Explorer? helps secure networks by executing an audit of account passwords, and exposing insecure account passwords. If it is possible to recover the password within a reasonable time, the password is considered insecure.

An administrator can also use it to recover any lost password and access a user's Windows? account. Proactive Windows Security Explorer? works by analyzing user password hashes and recovering plain-text passwords.