Password
hideA password is a secret word or string of characters that is used for authentication, to prove identity or gain access to a resource (Example: An access code is a type of password). The password must be kept secret from those not allowed access.
The use of passwords is known to be ancient. Sentries would challenge those wishing to enter an area or approaching it to supply a password or watchword. Sentries would only allow a person or group to pass if they knew the password. In modern times, user names and passwords are commonly used by people during a log in process that controls access to protected computer operating systems, mobile phones, cable TV decoders, automated teller machines (ATMs), etc. A typical computer user may require passwords for many purposes: logging in to computer accounts, retrieving e-mail from servers, accessing programs, databases, networks, web sites, and even reading the morning newspaper online.
Despite the name, there is no need for passwords to be actual words; indeed passwords which are not actual words may be harder to guess, a desirable property. Some passwords are formed from multiple words and may more accurately be called a passphrase. The term passcode is sometimes used when the secret information is purely numeric, such as the personal identification number (PIN) commonly used for ATM access. Passwords are generally short enough to be easily memorized and typed.
For the purposes of more compellingly authenticating the identity of one computing device to another, passwords have significant disadvantages (they may be stolen, spoofed, forgotten, etc.) over authentications systems relying on cryptographic protocols which are more difficult to circumvent.
For more information about Password, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
News tagged with password
iPhone worm Rickrolls Australia
Electronics / Consumer & Gadgets
Nov 10, 2009 |
4.3 / 5 (9) |
3
(PhysOrg.com) -- iPhone users in Australia have been hit during the last few days with a worm called "ikee". The worm replaces the default wallpaper with a difficult to remove picture of British singer Rick ...
People are still the weakest link in computer and internet security, study finds
Oct 13, 2009 |
4.5 / 5 (2) |
0
Two decades ago, studies showed that computer users were violating best practices for setting up hack-proof passwords, and not much has changed since then. What's clear, say researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison ...
Gadgets: Tiny drives, but big in capacity
Electronics / Consumer & Gadgets
Sep 09, 2009 |
1 / 5 (1) |
5
Verbatim Americas, LLC, continues to produce innovative storage devices for users on the go. The latest include additions to their portable line of USB drives.
Review: Password management eases with Net storage
Aug 12, 2009 |
2 / 5 (1) |
2
(AP) -- Do you use your kids' names? Your pet's? Your favorite color? We all use some dumb passwords that are too easy to guess.
Kingston Unveils the World’s First 256GB USB Flash Drive
Jul 22, 2009 |
4.4 / 5 (23) |
11
Kingston Technology, the independent world leader in memory products, announced the launch of the world's first 256GB USB flash drive, the Kingston Technology DataTraveler 300. It allows users to carry around ...
Passwords for Brazilian jobless site insult users
Jul 20, 2009 |
not rated yet |
0
(AP) -- It's a shameless thing to do in an economic crisis.
So many passwords, so little memory
Apr 15, 2009 |
3 / 5 (6) |
1
How many keys are on your keychain? I just looked at mine and counted nine keys. And that's not counting the bulky little remote control key fob that locks and unlocks my car. I've tried to consolidate my keys by making one ...
Death leaves online lives in limbo
Mar 16, 2009 |
4.8 / 5 (6) |
0
(AP) -- When Jerald Spangenberg collapsed and died in the middle of a quest in an online game, his daughter embarked on a quest of her own: to let her father's gaming friends know that he hadn't just decided ...
