How can you create strong and secure passwords?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around strategies for creating strong and secure passwords, particularly in the context of employer-imposed requirements for password complexity and frequency of change. Participants explore various methods for generating passwords based on numerical inputs and keyboard patterns.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests a method of generating passwords by associating two-digit numbers with specific character patterns, providing examples like 47 resulting in 47v$&b.
  • Another participant points out that certain symbols may not be allowed in password creation, which could limit the effectiveness of the proposed method.
  • A third participant introduces the concept of using triangle patterns on the keyboard to create passwords, explaining how to derive characters based on their spatial arrangement.
  • Concerns are raised about the overall security of the proposed password generation scheme, with a participant arguing that it may be easily guessable and has low entropy.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness and security of the password generation methods discussed. There is no consensus on the best approach, and concerns about password strength remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on specific keyboard layouts and the variability of password requirements across different systems. The discussion does not resolve the effectiveness of the proposed methods in real-world applications.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in password security, those seeking to comply with complex password requirements, and anyone looking for creative methods to generate memorable passwords may find this discussion relevant.

Andre
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A simple one, but maybe helpful for strong passwords.

So your employer wants you to change passwords every few weeks and they must be at least 6 digits, containing at least one letter, at least one digit and at least one special character like #@ etc. Moreover you could only use each pw once. After I ran out of family members I tried something else. I only needed to memorize a two digit number.

47 would get 47v$&b

86 would result in 86h*^g

34 gets 34e#$r

So which password goes with 96 and which with 67?

and why wouldn't I use 28?
 
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96n(^m,67t^&y you could not use 2 because @ is not allowed.
In many situations you are restricted to using _ or $ for symbols
in which case your system does not work.
 
Fair enough, the basic idea is triangle patterns on the keybord.

14kz6o9.jpg


With 4 and 7 find the key below to form a equal triangle, the v, then repeat 4,7 with shift, giving $& and then the key next to the v into the direction of the first two keys, the b. Just to make it not too obvious. Hence with 7 and 4 it would have been the c:

74v&$c

Our system used any key for password inclluding the @, but 28 can not be used because you cannot complete the triangle shape.
 
Andre said:
I only needed to memorize a two digit number.
Even though your scheme might be useful in defeating the silly password filters, it is also very easy to guess by a password hacker. Your password has very low entropy.

password_strength.png
 

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