--On March 23, 2008 8:04:41 PM -0400 Larry Seltzer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>> I understand the attractiveness of not having to remember lots of IDs > and passwords, but when you give up control of your data, you give up > control of your future. > > Normal people aren't going to remember enough passwords, let alone > strong passwords, to make that control meaningful. I do get your point, > but I bet that the best alternative is to give them one set of > credentials and make it as strong as possible. > I agree with your premise, Larry. It's the solution I object to. The correct solution, imo, is one that allows the user to retain control of their data. The password managers in browsers are an early attempt at this. Mac's File Vault is another. The correct solution, IMO, would be an encrypted password vault, stored on a USB drive and only available through the use of a password and some other form of identification (biometric, etc.) In other words, a combination of something you have and something you know, not something someone else has and something you know. If I'm carrying my passwords in encrypted form in a device I possess, I have complete control of who gets granted access to my data, and the compromise of any one vendor site that I visit will, at the worst, compromise the data I granted them access to. Paul Schmehl ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Senior Information Security Analyst The University of Texas at Dallas http://www.utdallas.edu/ir/security/ _______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.grok.org.uk/full-disclosure-charter.html Hosted and sponsored by Secunia - http://secunia.com/
