The Rise and Fall of Password Gods: Aunt Gertrude’s Descent into the Rabbit Hole of Hashes and Salt

If Aunt Gertrude realised just how critical the security of her meatball recipe was, she’d probably consider hiring a CISO to guard her kitchen. Alas, her recipe—like most passwords—lives in a precarious state: a scrap of paper tucked under her casserole dish. And much like the rest of us, she underestimates the consequences of poor password hygiene.

Table of Contents

Introduction

• Aunt Gertrude’s Meatball Security Paradox
• Why Passwords Still Matter in 2025

Password Length, Complexity, and the Human Factor

• Long vs Complex: The Never-Ending Debate
• Real-World Examples: Cracking Passwords in Seconds
• Standards and Best Practices: ISO, ENISA, and NIST

The Hidden Dangers of Password Storage

• Hashing and Salting: The Meatball Metaphor
• Standards for Hashing Algorithms: PBKDF2, bcrypt, and Argon2
• Common Mistakes in Hash Storage

Windows Password Storage: The NTLM Saga

• The NTLM Dilemma: A Hash from the Past
• The SAM Database and LSASS: Points of Failure
• Real-World Example: EternalBlue and WannaCry

Linux Password Storage: Strengths and Weaknesses

• /etc/passwd vs /etc/shadow: A Tale of Two Files
• Default Credentials and the IoT Problem
• SSH Keys: Secure Yet Mismanaged

Poor Practices Across Systems

• Reusing Hashes Across Systems
• Storing Passwords in Configuration Files
• Backup Vulnerabilities: Forgotten Risks

Password Managers: The Lesser Evil

• Benefits and Risks of Using Password Managers
• Popular Tools and Features
• Real-World Examples of Manager Breaches

Multifactor Authentication (MFA) and Passwordless Authentication

• MFA: A Necessary Evil
• Passwordless Authentication: Biometrics, Security Keys, and Magic Links
• Standards and Regulations: FIDO2 and PSD2

Passwords in the Application and IoT World

• The Weak Links in IoT Security
• Legislative Efforts: EU Cybersecurity Act and Singapore’s CLS
• Lessons from Mirai and Other IoT Breaches

How Passwords and Hashes Are Poorly Saved on Windows and Linux

• Windows: NTLM, SAM, and LSASS
• Linux: /etc/shadow and SSH Key Management
• Common Issues in Both Systems

Recommendations for Better Password and Hash Storage

• For Windows Systems
• For Linux Systems
• Cross-Platform Security Tips

Final Thoughts

• The Never-Ending Story of Cybersecurity
• Lessons from Aunt Gertrude’s Meatballs
• Why Paranoia is Your Best Friend in Security
• Why Password Management Isn’t Just IT’s Problem
• A Look to the Future: The Path Beyond Passwords
• Cybersecurity’s Meatball Recipe
• Final Word: Protecting More Than Just Meatballs

1. Introduction

Aunt Gertrude’s Meatball Security Paradox

If Aunt Gertrude understood the critical role her secret meatball recipe plays in family diplomacy, she’d probably store it in a biometric vault protected by retinal scans and a polygraph test. Alas, like many of us, she’s blissfully unaware of the consequences of poor password practices. Whether it’s a Post-it note on the fridge or "Password123" reused across every account, the story always ends with a data breach, a lot of finger-pointing, and maybe even some burnt meatballs.

Why Passwords Still Matter in 2025

You might think that with all the talk of passwordless authentication, multifactor security, and biometric wizardry, the password would be a thing of the past. But no, passwords are still the first line of defence—and often the first thing to fail—in protecting sensitive information. Their persistence is both a blessing and a curse, much like Aunt Gertrude’s insistence on using extra garlic in every dish.

2. Password Length, Complexity, and the Human Factor

Long vs Complex: The Never-Ending Debate

It’s an age-old argument in the cybersecurity world: Is it better to have a long password or a complex one? Like debating whether tea or coffee is superior, the answer often depends on who you ask. But the consensus these days is clear: long passwords (or better, passphrases) trump complexity.

A 20-character passphrase like GertrudeLovesHerSpicyMeatballs2025! is infinitely harder to crack than a short, complex mess like P@ssw0rd!. Why? Because length exponentially increases the number of combinations required to brute-force the password.

Real-World Examples: Cracking Passwords in Seconds

Let’s illustrate the point:

• Six-character passwords with mixed complexity can be cracked in less than 10 seconds using modern GPUs.
• Twelve-character passphrases, even without symbols, could take centuries to brute-force.

Still, many users choose passwords like "123456" or "qwerty." It’s the digital equivalent of leaving your house keys under the mat with a neon sign that says, “Burglars Welcome.”

Standards and Best Practices

The ISO/IEC 27001 framework and ENISA guidelines advocate for strong password policies. They recommend:

• Passwords or passphrases of at least 12-15 characters.
• Avoiding frequent forced password changes (thank you, NIST SP 800-63).
• Using unique passwords for every account (don’t recycle Gertrude2022! across 50 platforms).

3. The Hidden Dangers of Password Storage

Hashing and Salting: The Meatball Metaphor

Think of hashing as grinding Aunt Gertrude’s meatballs into an unrecognisable paste. Salting adds an extra ingredient, making it even harder to reverse-engineer the original recipe. However, if you store the salt next to the meatball paste, attackers can still work out the recipe.

Standards for Hashing Algorithms

When storing passwords, rely on modern algorithms:

• PBKDF2, bcrypt, and Argon2 are your best bets.
• Avoid MD5 and SHA-1, which are about as secure as a chocolate teapot.

4. Windows Password Storage: The NTLM Saga

The NTLM Dilemma: A Hash from the Past

Windows’ reliance on the outdated NTLM protocol is like Aunt Gertrude still using a hand-cranked meat grinder from 1952. NTLM uses weak hashing (MD4) with no salting, making it laughably insecure. Despite being replaced by Kerberos in modern systems, NTLM lingers on for "backward compatibility."

The SAM Database and LSASS

Windows stores password hashes in the SAM database (%SystemRoot%\System32\config\SAM). If attackers gain access, tools like Mimikatz can extract passwords faster than you can say "hash dump."

Real-World Example: EternalBlue and WannaCry

The EternalBlue exploit, weaponised by WannaCry ransomware, demonstrated how attackers could leverage SMB vulnerabilities to gain access to hashes stored in SAM or LSASS memory dumps.

5. Linux Password Storage: Strengths and Weaknesses

/etc/passwd vs /etc/shadow

In the early days of Unix, password hashes were stored in /etc/passwd, a file readable by all users. Modern systems moved hashes to /etc/shadow, accessible only by root. But misconfigurations can expose /etc/shadow, turning it into a hacker’s buffet.

Default Credentials and the IoT Problem

Linux-powered IoT devices often ship with default credentials (admin/admin). The Mirai botnet exploited these weaknesses, hijacking millions of devices for DDoS attacks.

SSH Keys: Secure Yet Mismanaged

SSH keys are a secure alternative to passwords—unless:

1. Users fail to encrypt private keys.
2. Keys sprawl out of control, granting access long after it’s needed.

6. Poor Practices Across Systems

Reusing Hashes Across Systems

Using the same hash across multiple systems is like reusing a meatball sauce recipe for both pasta and dessert—it’s bound to end badly.

Storing Passwords in Configuration Files

Developers often store plaintext passwords in config files, e.g., wp-config.php in WordPress. This is as secure as scribbling your password on the office whiteboard.

Backup Vulnerabilities

Unencrypted backups containing password files are a ticking time bomb. It’s like photocopying Aunt Gertrude’s recipe and leaving copies in random public places.

7. Password Managers: The Lesser Evil

Benefits and Risks

Password managers like 1Password and Bitwarden generate and store strong passwords. However, they’re not immune to breaches, as demonstrated by the LastPass hack of 2022.

Legislation and Compliance

Under GDPR and Singapore’s PDPA, organisations must secure credentials properly. A breach caused by poor password management could lead to fines that would make Aunt Gertrude weep.

8. Multifactor Authentication (MFA) and Passwordless Authentication

MFA: A Necessary Evil

MFA combines passwords with something you have (e.g., a smartphone) or something you are (e.g., a fingerprint). While not foolproof, it’s a significant upgrade from passwords alone.

Passwordless Authentication

Biometrics, security keys, and magic links are heralded as the future. Standards like FIDO2 and PSD2 are paving the way, but challenges remain (e.g., biometric spoofing, lost keys).

9. Passwords in the Application and IoT World

The Weak Links in IoT Security

IoT devices often use weak or default credentials, making them prime targets for botnets. The EU Cybersecurity Act and Singapore’s Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme aim to improve standards.

10. How Passwords and Hashes Are Poorly Saved on Windows and Linux

Windows: NTLM, SAM, and LSASS

Passwords stored in NTLM hashes are vulnerable to offline cracking. SAM files and LSASS memory dumps are common targets for attackers.

Linux: /etc/shadow and SSH Key Management

Poorly configured permissions on /etc/shadow can expose hashes, while unencrypted SSH keys are a major risk in enterprise environments.

Common Issues

Across both platforms, weak encryption, default credentials, and poor access controls are recurring problems.

11. Recommendations for Better Password and Hash Storage

For Windows Systems

• Disable NTLM wherever possible.
• Enable Credential Guard to protect LSASS.

For Linux Systems

• Harden /etc/shadow with strict permissions.
• Use strong hashing algorithms like SHA-512.

Cross-Platform Security Tips

• Encrypt backups and sensitive files.
• Regularly audit systems for misconfigurations.

12. Final Thoughts

The Never-Ending Story of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity, much like Aunt Gertrude’s cooking experiments, is a continuous journey. Just when you think you’ve nailed the perfect recipe—whether it’s for meatballs or a secure authentication system—someone comes along with a new exploit, a new attack vector, or a complaint about “too much garlic.” You’re never truly finished, and there’s always room for improvement.

Passwords, despite their flaws and critics, remain the backbone of digital security. Even as we move toward biometrics, MFA, and passwordless authentication, passwords are still the primary layer of defence in most systems. They’re cheap, they’re versatile, and they’re frustratingly fallible. The takeaway? You can’t afford to ignore them, no matter how much you wish you could.

Lessons from Aunt Gertrude’s Meatballs

Let’s be honest: if Aunt Gertrude treated her meatball recipe the way most people treat their passwords, it would have been stolen, published online, and plastered across every culinary blog years ago. Here are a few lessons we can learn from her (and her hypothetical data security practices):

1. Don’t Reuse Recipes (or Passwords): Each dish (or account) deserves its own unique ingredients. Reusing passwords is like reusing yesterday’s sauce—lazy and bound to end badly.
2. Store the Recipe Properly: If you’re going to safeguard something important, whether it’s a recipe or a password hash, do it right. Encrypt it, store it securely, and don’t leave it lying around for prying eyes.
3. Paranoia Is Your Best Friend: Aunt Gertrude wouldn’t trust just anyone with her recipe, and neither should you trust just anyone with access to your systems. Zero Trust isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a way of life.

Why Paranoia is Your Best Friend in Security

The difference between a secure organisation and a compromised one often comes down to paranoia. A little healthy distrust—of your users, your vendors, and even your own systems—can go a long way. Implementing Zero Trust principles ensures that you’re not relying on outdated assumptions about who and what can be trusted.

Think about it:

• That one user who insists on using "Password1234!" because "no one would guess that"? Paranoia would make you enforce stronger policies.
• That system administrator who refuses to rotate their SSH keys? Paranoia would push you to audit and revoke unnecessary access.
• That backup strategy that hasn’t been updated since 2015? Paranoia would drive you to encrypt it and test it regularly.

In short, paranoia is the secret ingredient to good cybersecurity—right next to technical expertise and a dash of humility.

Why Password Management Isn’t Just IT’s Problem

It’s easy to dismiss passwords as an IT issue, but the truth is, they’re everyone’s problem. From DPOs navigating compliance minefields like GDPR and Singapore’s PDPA, to CISOs balancing security with usability, to C-level executives trying to protect their bottom line—passwords impact every level of an organisation.

Consider this:

• A data breach caused by poor password hygiene can cost millions in fines, lawsuits, and reputational damage.
• Password fatigue among employees can lead to risky shortcuts and increased helpdesk costs.
• Weak password management practices can undermine even the most advanced security tools.

If cybersecurity is a team sport, then password management is the ball everyone needs to keep their eye on.

A Look to the Future: The Path Beyond Passwords

Passwords are like Aunt Gertrude’s meatballs: beloved, ubiquitous, and flawed. As we march toward the passwordless future, it’s important to remember that new authentication methods come with their own challenges:

• Biometrics: Great for convenience but vulnerable to spoofing and irreversibility. (You can change a password; you can’t change your face.)
• MFA: A solid addition but still not foolproof, as attackers find creative ways around it (SIM-swapping, anyone?).
• Passwordless Authentication: Promising, but adoption is slow, and implementation varies widely across systems and organisations.

The key to success isn’t abandoning passwords entirely but using them wisely and in conjunction with modern security tools and practices. The FIDO2 standard and initiatives like PSD2 in Europe are steps in the right direction, but widespread adoption will take time—and patience.

Cybersecurity’s Meatball Recipe

If cybersecurity were a recipe, here’s what it might look like:

• Ingredients: Long, unique passwords; salted and hashed; paired with MFA and encrypted storage.
• Method: Mix paranoia with technical know-how, bake under Zero Trust principles, and serve with regular audits and compliance checks.
• Warning: Avoid shortcuts, like hardcoding passwords in configs or reusing credentials, unless you enjoy explaining breaches to the board.

Final Word: Protecting More Than Just Meatballs

Passwords are more than just strings of characters; they’re the guardians of your data, your privacy, and your reputation. Whether you’re securing Aunt Gertrude’s meatball recipe or a multinational corporation’s customer database, the principles are the same: treat your passwords with respect, invest in robust security practices, and never stop learning.

And always remember: when in doubt, add more salt—both to your hashes and to Aunt Gertrude’s meatballs. Because in cybersecurity, as in cooking, it’s better to be overly cautious than to end up with something bland—or breached.