What is the Best Way to Create a Secure Password Prompt in C++?

  • Topic: Comp Sci 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Deathfish
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Deathfish
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Homework Statement

Currently using stdio.h, conio.h, string.h, stdlib.h
not using iostream, namespace std etc.

I am asked to make a password prompt where each character echoes an asterisk (*)

The user must be able to backspace and delete to make corrections.

The password is then stored in an array which can accommodate up to 100 passwords.

The attempt at a solution

count=0;
while(c != eof())
{
`c=getch();
if (c != eof())
{
printf("*");
c=pw[userid][count];
count++;
}
}
pw[userid][count] = '\0';

sadly, the output indentation looks horrible and it is uneditable using backspace and delete.
 
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Discussion

As I recall, getch returns any key presses. This includes control characters, such as, say, the backspace character (ASCII 0x08):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASCII

You might also want to do some input filtering to ensure that only characters you want accepted actually are (again, look at the ASCII table). Lastly, rather than go crazy with allowing the user to edit and change the password, you might want to consider using a "Please type password again", just to make sure the user is entering both the same.

Good luck!