Re: Length vs Complexity

[Jeffrey Walton <noloader () gmail com>]

Hi px8,

>  .... the bit strength (entropy) of the password...
At 20 characters, I don't believe "Security.Basics.List" has 92 bits
of entropy. I also don't believe entropy (a measure of uncertainty) is
equivalent to security (an estimate of the strength when factoring in
keys, algorithms, attacks, etc).

Sorry about the lame references.

Jeff

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entropy_%28information_theory%29
http://www.cryptopp.com/wiki/Security_level

On Thu, Sep 16, 2010 at 1:36 PM, p8x <l () p8x net> wrote:
> I personally base password strength off the bit strength (entropy) of the
> password, as well as not selecting dictionary words. In the case of your
> passwords, "Security.Basics.List" is 92 bits (there are 2^92 possibilities
> if someone was to attempt a brute force). In comparison, "D*3ft!7z" is 51
> bits.
>
> In a brute force attack the shorter password would come out second best,
> although keep in mind factors like dictionary attacks etc. can speed up
> guesses of common words.
>
>
> On 17/09/2010 1:01 AM, Mike Razzell wrote:
> > Users hear constantly that they should add complexity to their
> > passwords, but from the math of it doesn't length beat complexity
> > (assuming they don't just choose a long word)?  This is not to suggest
> > they should not use special characters, but simply that something like
> > Security.Basics.List would provide better security than D*3ft!7z.  Is
> > that correct?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > -Mike

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