Re: Why doesn't Amazon enforce a password policy?

["Jeff Robertson" <jeff.robertson () gmail com>]

Well then I take back what I said.. I must be mixing them up with a
different site.

In that case, I figure that unless PCI or something forces them to
strengthen the authentication, they're just going to do whatever is
cheaper for themselves (Amazon).

On 10/27/06, James Strassburg <JStrassburg () directs com> wrote:
> They do store credit card numbers (foundation of the whole 1-click
> ordering thing).  Additionally, they don't even give you the option of
> not storing it when you place an order.  You have to go back and delete
> it later.
>
> JiM Strassburg
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jeff Robertson [mailto:jeff.robertson () gmail com]
> Sent: Friday, October 27, 2006 7:42 AM
> To: James Strassburg
> Cc: webappsec () securityfocus com
> Subject: Re: Why doesn't Amazon enforce a password policy?
>
> Admittedly it's been a long time since I bought something on there, but
> don't you have to enter the credit number ever time, regardless of
> having logged in and used it before? (Correct me if I'm wrong, as I very
> likely could be..) So there's really nothing in your Amazon user profile
> worth protecting beyond the most basic efforts.
>
> Does this also apply to your company?
>
> On 10/24/06, James Strassburg <JStrassburg () directs com> wrote:
> > There is a small war going on where I work.  I am trying to get a
> > password policy enforced for our web applications and certain business
>
> > leaders are opposing it.  There are two areas of opposition:
> >
> > 1. Minimum password length of 6 (currently 4, 6 was going to be a
> > compromise).
> > 2. Expiration of passwords (currently none).
> >
> > Strength requirements on the password content seems to be ok with
> them.
> >
> > These leaders compare our business with Amazon (a bit of a reach but
> > we go with it for argument's sake) and their main argument for not
> > enforcing a minimum password length and password expiration is that
> > Amazon doesn't do it.
> >
> > How should I go about convincing them that Amazon.com is wrong and the
>
> > fact that they haven't had a severe account breach is no reason not to
>
> > implement a policy ourselves?  Or, to play devil's advocate with
> > myself, if I'm wrong, why doesn't Amazon enforce a password policy?
> >
> > On a side note, the development work for implementing the policy is
> > already done.  It was done as part of a separate project and just not
> > turned on until this argument could be resolved so there will be
> > almost no development cost associated with implementing the policy.
> >
> > Thanks for your feedback.
> >
> > James Strassburg
> >
> >
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