Forgetting of passwords: Ecological theory and data

Xianyi Gao, Yulong Yang, Can Liu, Christos Mitropoulos, Janne Lindqvist, Antti Oulasvirta

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientificpeer-review

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Abstract

It is well known that text-based passwords are hard to remember and that users prefer simple (and non-secure) passwords. However, despite extensive research on the topic, no principled account exists for explaining when a password will be forgotten. This paper contributes new data and a set of analyses building on the ecological theory of memory and forgetting. We propose that human memory naturally adapts according to an estimate of how often a password will be needed, such that often used, important passwords are less likely to be forgotten. We derive models for login duration and odds of recall as a function of rate of use and number of uses thus far. The models achieved a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 1.8 seconds for login duration and 0.09 for recall odds for data collected in a month-long field experiment where frequency of password use was controlled. The theory and data shed new light on password management, account usage, password security and memorability.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 27th USENIX Security Symposium
PublisherUSENIX -The Advanced Computing Systems Association
Pages221-238
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-931971-46-1
Publication statusPublished - 2018
MoE publication typeA4 Conference publication
EventUSENIX Security Symposium - Baltimore, United States
Duration: 15 Aug 201817 Aug 2018
Conference number: 27

Conference

ConferenceUSENIX Security Symposium
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBaltimore
Period15/08/201817/08/2018

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