Passwording: The Technology Behind Strong Passwords
World Password Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of password technology and security.
In today’s digital age, where almost everything we do is online, password security is of utmost importance.
With data breaches and cyber-attacks becoming increasingly common, it is essential to understand the technology behind passwords and how to create strong ones.
The Technology Behind Passwords
Passwords are the most common way of authenticating users in the digital world.
They are essentially a secret code used to verify a user’s identity.
When a user creates a password, it is encrypted and stored in a database. When the user tries to log in, the password they enter is encrypted and compared to the one stored in the database.
If they match, the user is granted access.
There are several types of passwords that one can use, including alphanumeric passwords, biometric passwords, and two-factor authentication.
Alphanumeric passwords
Are the most common type of password, consisting of a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols (such as a & or hashtag) make up an alphanumeric password.
Alphanumeric passwords are supposedly more difficult to decipher than those made up only of letters.
However, they might also be more difficult to think of and to recall.
Biometric passwords
On the other hand, biometric passwords uses physical characteristics such as fingerprints or facial recognition to authenticate users.
Biometrics are specific human characteristics that we can capture and use as an authentication method in IT systems.
Biometric password examples include:
- Fingerprint Scanning
- Facial Recognition
- Voice Authentication
- Iris or Retina Scanning
- Typing Recognition
- DNA Matching
- Ear Shape Matching
- Signature Recognition
When using a biometric password, the user presents a scanner with bodily identification—for instance, by placing their finger on a fingerprint scanner.
The system uses that data and compares it to the data from their digital ID.
If a match is found, the system will get the user’s password from a keychain and use it to log the user into a programme or other device.
Two-factor authentication:
This adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide a second form of authentication, such as a code sent to their phone or email.
