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Background Draw-a-Secret (BDAS) Makes Graphical Passwords
Background Draw-a-Secret (BDAS) is a software technology that will give all of us a new way to foil those who would steal our passwords. It's easy to use, and can be implemented on a wide variety of devices, including many mobile phones.
(Background Draw-a-Secret (BDAS) demonstration picture)
Here's how it works: The user selects a particular image and then draws a series of pen strokes over the image. The system remembers the number of strokes, the order of the strokes and their position relative to the image.
Dr. Jeff Yan, one of the researchers at Newcastle University, remarks that studies have shown that it is easier for most people to remember images than words.
'Choosing the right background image is very important for memory and security.'A big crowd scene is too complex and a picture of stars might be too obvious with people just joining up the brightest ones.
'The best ones tend to be images such as playing cards. Our new system will require a little more effort for people to set up their passwords but once that is done we are confident that people, other than criminals, will find it easier to use.'
Science fiction fans may recall that in the film Johnny Mnemonic, the main character uses a series of pictures as a mnemonic trigger or password to unlock the data contained in his head.
(Johnny Mnemonic)
Via The picture passwords that make security codes easier to remember but harder to copy; thanks to Moira for writing in with this story tip.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 7/3/2008)
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Interesting security technique that takes advantage of the greater ease with which we all recall pictures, as opposed to the kind of alphanumeric strings IT techs want us to use for passwords.
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Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
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