The Effects of Password Length and Complexity on Password Resiliency

Abstract

Passwords serve as a primary method for users to access systems and accounts. Even malicious actors with minimal cyber security knowledge can break into a user’s account if the password is weak enough and easy to guess. This study examines at the password length and complexity as variables for password strength. A total of 9 passwords of varying lengths and complexity were selected. As passwords are often stored as hashes, the hashes of these passwords will be computed and hashcat will be used to try to crack the passwords.