ST Alpha - "So passwords are getting easier to crack because hackers can try billions of combinations fairly quickly. My question: Why are the *able* to try" (Reading a Post)

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So passwords are getting easier to crack because hackers can try billions of combinations fairly quickly. My question: Why are the able to try

Posted by TWuG Aug 23 '12, 12:32

billions of combinations?

Why do systems *allow* a billion tries to get it right?

I don't get a billion tries to get my ATM code right, so why should I get a billion tries to get into my Amazon account or my Gmail account? It seems the the security issue isn't with the person setting the password but with the system requiring the password.

If you only get three shots or 5 shots before getting locked out it ought to be a LOT harder for hackers to get into your stuff. Yes? No? Am I missing something with this?

http://lifehacker.com/5937303/your-clever-password-tricks-arent-protecting-you-from-todays-hackers (lifehacker.com)

Responses:

"Should have had an authenticator" -- nm - Qale Aug 23, 12:36
We used to run with password lockout on our external facing email system. Users got locked out so often and couldn't log onto their computers that we - oblique Aug 23, 12:35 1
- Now we have a system where you get a phone call when you try to log on and it asks you to enter a PIN on the line - oblique Aug 23, 12:38
They start with a weak site, not a bank or anything important. Hallmark ecards may well allow unlimited tries. -- nm - mara Aug 23, 12:34 5
- And my question is "why allow unlimited tries"? If you can't remember it in some low 2 digit number of tries, you should be hitting the - TWuG Aug 23, 12:37 4
  - with gmail, after a few tries you have to also do a capcha validation -- nm - zork Aug 23, 12:42
  - kilbo answers that above. -- nm - mara Aug 23, 12:40
  - I think Gmail is like 4 or 5 but could be wrong. It's not very many tries. -- nm - sycor Aug 23, 12:39 1
    - After about 4 or 5, they break out the "now you have to get it right AND fill out impossible to read captcha" -- nm - Qale Aug 23, 12:42
Because then when you go to log in and you are locked out, you're mad and they have to deal with you. -- nm - spamlet Aug 23, 12:33
"That'll be extree." -- nm - nubby Aug 23, 12:33

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So passwords are getting easier to crack because hackers can try billions of combinations fairly quickly. My question: Why are the *able* to try

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So passwords are getting easier to crack because hackers can try billions of combinations fairly quickly. My question: Why are the able to try