– **History**:
– Passwords have been used since ancient times for security purposes.
– In the Roman military, watchwords were distributed to ensure secure passage.
– Military passwords evolved to include counterpasswords for enhanced security.
– Computers started using passwords with the Compatible Time-Sharing System in 1961.
– Robert Morris developed hashed password storage in Unix in the early 1970s.
– **Choosing a Secure and Memorable Password**:
– Easy-to-remember passwords may be easier for attackers to guess.
– Difficult-to-remember passwords can lead to security risks like writing down passwords.
– Longer passwords may provide more security than shorter complex passwords.
– Certain password generation methods can enhance both memorability and security.
– Common password types, like pet or child names, are considered insecure.
– **Password Security Best Practices**:
– Regularly updating passwords can enhance security.
– Implementing multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security.
– Avoiding common password pitfalls like using personal information is crucial.
– Using password managers can help generate and store complex passwords securely.
– Educating users on password hygiene and security practices is essential.
– **Password Cracking and Protection**:
– Password cracking techniques include dictionary attacks and brute force attacks.
– Strong password hashing algorithms can protect against password cracking.
– Implementing rate-limiting mechanisms can deter brute force attacks.
– Two-factor authentication can mitigate the impact of password breaches.
– Regular security audits and password policy reviews are vital for protection.
– **Future Trends in Password Security**:
– Biometric authentication methods are becoming increasingly popular.
– Passwordless authentication solutions are gaining traction for enhanced security.
– Continuous authentication systems offer real-time monitoring of user behavior.
– Machine learning algorithms are being used to detect anomalies in user behavior.
– Quantum-resistant encryption algorithms are being developed to secure passwords in the future.
A password, sometimes called a passcode, is secret data, typically a string of characters, usually used to confirm a user's identity. Traditionally, passwords were expected to be memorized, but the large number of password-protected services that a typical individual accesses can make memorization of unique passwords for each service impractical. Using the terminology of the NIST Digital Identity Guidelines, the secret is held by a party called the claimant while the party verifying the identity of the claimant is called the verifier. When the claimant successfully demonstrates knowledge of the password to the verifier through an established authentication protocol, the verifier is able to infer the claimant's identity.
In general, a password is an arbitrary string of characters including letters, digits, or other symbols. If the permissible characters are constrained to be numeric, the corresponding secret is sometimes called a personal identification number (PIN).
Despite its name, a password does not need to be an actual word; indeed, a non-word (in the dictionary sense) may be harder to guess, which is a desirable property of passwords. A memorized secret consisting of a sequence of words or other text separated by spaces is sometimes called a passphrase. A passphrase is similar to a password in usage, but the former is generally longer for added security.
English
Alternative forms
- pass-word (archaic)
Etymology
pass + word; the sentry-passing sense predates the cryptographic sense and was its inspiration.
