Generating 56-bit passwords using Markov Models (and Charles Dickens)
Cryptography and Security
2015-03-02 v1
Abstract
We describe a password generation scheme based on Markov models built from English text (specifically, Charles Dickens' *A Tale Of Two Cities*). We show a (linear-running-time) bijection between random bitstrings of any desired length and generated text, ensuring that all passwords are generated with equal probability. We observe that the generated passwords appear to strike a reasonable balance between memorability and security. Using the system, we get 56-bit passwords like 'The cusay is wither?" t', rather than passwords like 'tQ$%Xc4Ef'.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1502.07786,
title = {Generating 56-bit passwords using Markov Models (and Charles Dickens)},
author = {John Clements},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1502.07786},
year = {2015}
}
Comments
5 pages, 2 figures