, 2004-11-19
Bill Gates is right about one thing: asking people to use a two-factor form of authentication would go a long way toward alleviating a lot of the password problems that plague computer security today.
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?Another weak link in these security systems has been the use of passwords, and there's no doubt that over time people are going to rely less and less on passwords. I'm sure all of you know what a weak thing that is, both in terms of people using that same password on insecure systems or writing them down or taking things that are guessable; it just doesn't meet the test for anything you really want to secure.?
But I think this repeat is more motivated by the recent introduction of a Microsoft biometric solution to push: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/sep04/09-08Ret
ailHWLaunchPR.asp
Microsoft has proven through their actions that they only address authentication security when it can boost sales (e.g. Microsoft biometric mouse) or in response to years of criticism (e.g. LANMan password hashes).
Mr. Gates advice is in no way wrong, it just isn't motivated by the best of intentions.
Bruce K. Marshall
www.PasswordResearch.com
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Link to this comment: http://www.securityfocus.com/comments/columns/277/29215#29215