Re: Re[2]: password aging

Alec Muffett - SunLabs (Alec.MuffettUK.Sun.COM)
Wed, 02 Sep 1998 16:15:45 +0100

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> One alternative to password aging, is to force everyone to use a
> password generator. FIPS181 from the US government describes (and
> implements) such a generator. I have found the FIPS181 algorithm
> generates good pronouncable passwords. They are also far less
> susceptible to social engineering.
>
> Using password generators has many problems in itself, not least of
> which is the tendency for people to write the password down. However,
> if security demands good password aging and system wide password
> re-use detection, then the local policies can be enforced to deal with
> this and a generator is a viable alternative.

I concur with your second paragraph to some extent, but recommend you
read the FIPS181 note in the docs directory of Crack 5.0 before laying
your trust in it too deeply.

My take: if you can't use some decent non-reusable technology, and you
are using a service like NIS or similar to distribute your passwords
round the enterprise, then use a password generator - one that
generates near-line-noise - and permit your users to write them down.

cf: s/key

        - alec

ps: can we pleae talk about firewalls again?

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