Password authentication is one of the most common methods of verifying user identity and granting access to online services. However, it also has several limitations that pose security and usability challenges. In this article, you will learn about some of the drawbacks of traditional password authentication and how alternative approaches can address them.
Password cracking is the process of guessing or breaking passwords using various techniques, such as brute force, dictionary attacks, phishing, or malware. Password cracking can compromise user accounts, expose sensitive data, and cause financial or reputational damage. To prevent password cracking, you need to create and manage strong and unique passwords for each service, which can be difficult and inconvenient. You also need to protect your passwords from being stolen or leaked by hackers, insiders, or third parties.
also once a password is cracked, there is a high chance of it leaking to password databases which for a lot of people means a doorway to many other accounts of them since the password used to protect those accounts might be the same as the leaked one.
Password fatigue is the feeling of frustration and exhaustion that users experience when they have to remember and enter multiple passwords for different services. Password fatigue can lead to poor password practices, such as reusing the same password, writing them down, or choosing easy-to-guess passwords. Password fatigue can also reduce user satisfaction and productivity, as users waste time and effort on password-related tasks. To reduce password fatigue, you can use password managers, single sign-on, or biometric authentication.
while password managers come with a lot of benefits they are holding keys to many other accounts, once a password manager database is breached, chances are all the accounts managed by that are also compromised.
Password reset is the process of creating a new password when you forget or lose your existing one. Password reset can be a hassle and a security risk, as you need to verify your identity, follow instructions, and create a new password. Password reset can also be exploited by attackers, who can impersonate you or intercept your reset messages. To avoid password reset, you can use password recovery options, such as backup codes, email, or phone verification. However, these options can also be compromised or unavailable.
Password synchronization is the process of keeping your passwords consistent across different services or devices. Password synchronization can be useful and convenient, as you do not have to remember or enter different passwords for each service or device. However, it can also be risky and problematic, as you expose your passwords to more potential threats, such as network interception, device theft, or service breach. To achieve password synchronization, you can use password managers, cloud services, or federated authentication.
Password alternatives are methods of authentication that do not rely on passwords, such as biometric, token, or behavioral authentication. Password alternatives can offer more security and convenience, as they use factors that are inherent, possessed, or learned by the user. However, they can also have limitations, such as cost, accuracy, privacy, or compatibility. To adopt password alternatives, you need to consider the trade-offs, benefits, and challenges of each method and how they fit your needs and preferences.
Password future is the outlook and trend of password authentication in the context of system architecture and innovation. Password future is uncertain and dynamic, as new technologies, standards, and threats emerge and evolve. Password future may involve more hybrid and adaptive authentication systems, that combine multiple factors and methods to provide optimal security and usability. Password future may also involve more user-centric and decentralized authentication models, that give users more control and ownership over their identity and data.
traditional passwords are also more prone to social engineering and phishing attacks where the user gives away their password. not to say that other types of verification are absolutely safe but in my opinion, they are safer than a phrase that could be guessed or elicited from an individual. Take biometrics or the Swedish way of personal authentication (BankID) for example, It is a lot harder to crack a fingerprint than a password :)