Two researchers say that online passwords, while helpful for websites aiming to sign up millions of users, overlook "really scary and effective attacks." While password advice usually instructs users to choose something strong, memorable and a mix of numbers and letters, strong passwords aren't as important as they used to be, given more advanced hacking methods such as phishing and keylogging. Researchers Cormac Herley and Paul C. van Oorschot say in a new paper that the computer industry wrote off the significance of passwords a decade ago after Bill Gates said they'd become obsolete soon, so not enough work has gone into improving them and understanding how they get compromised, Wired reports.
Full Story