Why That Picture? Discovering Password Properties in Recognition-Based Graphical Authentication

Numerous graphical authentication ideas have been proposed on how to address the security and usability of text-based passwords. However, it remains unclear how users approach graphical password selection and the inherent personal bias when selecting images. This study investigates user choices in password selection for recognition-based graphical authentication. Our analysis is based on a total of 302 participants continuously using a graphical authentication system during a 6-week long study. The results show pronounced preference effects for image properties such as color, shape, and category. Additionally, there is a significant difference between genders in the selected images based on the same properties.     

Shoulder-surfing-proof graphical password authentication scheme

The graphical password authentication scheme uses icons instead of text-based passwords to authenticate users. Icons might be somehow more familiar to human beings than text-based passwords, since it is hard to remember the latter with sufficient security strength. No matter what kind of password is used, there are always shoulder-surfing problems. An attacker can easily get text-based password or graphical password by observation, capturing a video or recording the login process. In this paper, we propose a shoulder-surfing-proof graphical password authentication scheme using the convex-hull graphical algorithm. We give evaluation and comparisons to demonstrate the security strength and the functionality advantages of our scheme.     

Investigating the Viability of Multifactor Graphical Passwords for User Authentication

ABSTRACT

Authentication using images (i.e., graphical passwords) is claimed to be one of the alternatives for overcoming weaknesses in the traditional username and password authentication. This paper reports on the study to explore the feasibility of combining two graphical password methods for better security. A graphical password prototype scheme, the Enhanced Graphical Authentication System (EGAS), was developed (which combines the methods of clicking on the image (i.e., click-based) and selecting a series of images (i.e., choice-based). The EGAS was tested by 30 participants randomly chosen from the authors’ university and two evaluations were made; namely user performance of the combined method and the feasibility of authentication strategies toward the introduced method itself. From both evaluations, it is found that positive results have been obtained, which suggest that these methods could be combined together effectively without giving impediment to users.     

Token-based graphical password authentication

Given that phishing is an ever-increasing problem, a better authentication system is required. We propose a system that uses a graphical password deployed from a Trojan and virus-resistant embedded device. The graphical password utilizes a personal image to construct an image hash, which is provided as input into a cryptosystem that returns a password. The graphical password requires the user to select a small number of points on the image. The embedded device will then stretch these points into a long alphanumeric password. With one graphical password, the user can generate many passwords from their unique embedded device. The image hash algorithm employed by the device is demonstrated to produce random and unique 256-bit message digests and was found to be responsive to subtle changes in the underlying image. Furthermore, the device was found to generate passwords with entropy significantly larger than that of users passwords currently employed today.     

An Enhanced Drawing Reproduction Graphical Password Strategy

Passwords are used in the vast majority of computer and communication systems for authentication. The greater security and memorability of graphical passwords make them a possible alternative to traditional textual passwords. In this paper we propose a new graphical password scheme called YAGP, which is an extension of the Draw-A-Secret (DAS) scheme. The main difference between YAGP and DAS is soft matching. The concepts of the stroke-box, image-box, trend quadrant, and similarity are used to describe the images characteristics for soft matching. The reduction in strict user input rules in soft matching improves the usability and therefore creates a great advantage. The denser grid granularity enables users to design a longer password, enlarging the practical password space and enhancing security. Meanwhile, YAGP adopts a triple-register process to create multi-templates, increasing the accuracy and memorability of characteristics extraction. Experiments illustrate the effectiveness of YAGP.     

A user authentication system using back-propagation network

Information security has been a critical issue in the field of information systems. One of the key factors in the security of a computer system is how to identify the authorization of users. Password-based user authentication is widely used to authenticate a legitimate user in the current system. In conventional password-based user authentication schemes, a system has to maintain a password table or verification table which stores the information of users IDs and passwords. Although the one-way hash functions and encryption algorithms are applied to prevent the passwords from being disclosed, the password table or verification table is still vulnerable. In order to solve this problem, in this paper, we apply the technique of back-propagation network instead of the functions of the password table and verification table. Our proposed scheme is useful in solving the security problems that occurred in systems using the password table and verification table. Furthermore, our scheme also allows each user to select a username and password of his/her choice.     

An improved timestamp-based remote user authentication scheme

To protect the remote server from various malicious attacks, many authentication schemes have been proposed. Some schemes have to maintain a password verification table in the remote server for checking the legitimacy of the login users. To overcome potential risks of verification tables, researchers proposed remote user authentication schemes using smartcard, in which the remote server only keeps a secret key for computing the user’s passwords and does not need any verification table for verifying legal user. In 2003 Shen, Lin, and Hwang proposed a timestamp-based password authentication scheme using smartcards in which the remote server does not need to store the passwords or verification table for user authentication. Unfortunately, this scheme is vulnerable to some deadly attacks. In this paper, we analyze few attacks and finally propose an improved timestamp-based remote user authentication scheme. The modified scheme is more efficient and secure than original scheme.     

图形密码身份认证方案设计及其安全性分析

为了解决身份认证方案中口令的安全性和易记忆性的矛盾,针对传统的字符式口令的诸多缺点,提出了结合新型图形密码的身份认证参考方案.在图形密码设计原则下,依据基于识别型和基于记忆型的设计思想,提出图形密码身份认证参照方案,并将图形密码的安全性与文本密码进行比较,分析了图形密码的密钥空间和抵抗常见口令攻击的能力.经分析多数图形密码在易记忆性和安全性方面优于传统密码.     

Secure Encrypted Steganography Graphical Password scheme for Near Field Communication smartphone access control system

The revolutionary development of smartphone which offers compelling computing and storage capabilities has radically changed the digital lifestyles of users. The integration of Near Field Communication (NFC) into smartphone has further opened up opportunities for new applications and business models such as in industry for payment, electronic ticketing and access control systems. NFC and graphical password scheme are two imperative technologies that can be used to achieve secure and convenient access control system. One of the potential uses of such technologies is the integration of steganography graphical password scheme into NFC-enabled smartphone to transcend conventional digital key/tokens access control systems into a more secure and convenient environment. Smartphone users would have more freedom in customizing the security level and how they interact with the access control system. As such, this paper presents a secure two-factor authentication NFC smartphone access control system using digital key and the proposed Encrypted Steganography Graphical Password (ESGP). This paper also validates the user perception and behavioral intention to use NFC ESGP smartphone access control system through an experiment and user evaluation survey. Results indicated that users weigh security as a dominant attribute for their behavioral intention to use NFC ESGP smartphone access control system. Our findings offer a new insight for security scholars, mobile device service providers and expert systems to leverage on the two-factor authentication with the use of NFC-enabled smartphone.     

User interface design affects security: patterns in click-based graphical passwords

Design of the user interface for authentication systems influences users and may encourage either secure or insecure behaviour. Using data from four different but closely related click-based graphical password studies, we show that user-selected passwords vary considerably in their predictability. Our post-hoc analysis looks at click-point patterns within passwords and shows that PassPoints passwords follow distinct patterns. Our analysis shows that many patterns appear across a range of images, thus motivating attacks which are independent of specific background images. Conversely, Cued Click-Points (CCP) and Persuasive Cued Click-Points (PCCP) passwords are nearly indistinguishable from those of a randomly generated simulated dataset. These results provide insight on modeling effective password spaces and on how user interface characteristics lead to more (or less) security resulting from user behaviour.     

On designing usable and secure recognition-based graphical authentication mechanisms

In this article we present the development of a new, web-based, graphical authentication mechanism called ImagePass. The authentication mechanism introduces a novel feature based on one-time passwords that increases the security of the system without compromising its usability. Regarding usability, we explore the users’ perception of recognition-based, graphical authentication mechanisms in a web environment. Specifically, we investigate whether the memorability of recognition-based authentication keys is influenced by image content. We also examine how the frequency of use affects the usability of the system and whether user training via mnemonic instructions improves the graphical password recognition rate. The design and development process of the proposed system began with a study that assessed how the users remember abstract, face or single-object images, and showed that single-object images have a higher memorability rate. We then proceeded with the design and development of a recognition-based graphical authentication mechanism, ImagePass, which uses single-objects as the image content and follows usable security guidelines. To conclude the research, in a follow-up study we evaluated the performance of 151 participants under different conditions. We discovered that the frequency of use had a great impact on users’ performance, while the users’ gender had a limited task-specific effect. In contrast, user training through mnemonic instructions showed no differences in the users’ authentication metrics. However, a post-study, focus-group analysis revealed that these instructions greatly influenced the users’ perception for memorability and the usability of the graphical authentication. In general, the results of these studies suggest that single-object graphical authentication can be a complementary replacement for traditional passwords, especially in ubiquitous environments and mobile devices.     

Bu-Dash: a universal and dynamic graphical password scheme (extended version)

Passwordless authentication is a trending theme in cyber security, while biometrics gradually replace knowledge-based schemes. However, Personal Identification Numbers, passcodes, and graphical passwords are still considered as the primary means for authentication. Passwords must be memorable to be usable; therefore, users tend to choose easy to guess secrets, compromising security. The Android Pattern Unlock is a popular graphical password scheme that can be easily attacked by exploiting human behavioristic traits. Despite its vulnerabilities, the popularity of the scheme has led researchers to propose adjustments and variations that enhance security but maintain its familiar user interface. Nevertheless, prior work demonstrated that improving security while preserving usability remains frequently a hard task. In this paper we propose a novel graphical password scheme built on the foundations of the well-accepted Android Pattern Unlock method, which is usable, inclusive, universal, and robust against shoulder surfing and (basically) smudge attacks. Our scheme, named Bu-Dash, features a dynamic user interface that mutates every time a user swipes the screen. Our pilot studies illustrate that Bu-Dash attracts positive user acceptance rates, it is secure, and maintains high usability levels. We define complexity metrics that can be used to further diversify user input, and we conduct complexity and security assessments.

     

A Human-Cognitive Perspective of Users’ Password Choices in Recognition-Based Graphical Authentication

ABSTRACT

Graphical password composition is an important part of graphical user authentication which affects the strength of the chosen password. Considering that graphical authentication is associated with visual search, perception, and information retrieval, in this paper we report on an eye-tracking study (N = 109) that aimed to investigate the effects of users’ cognitive styles toward the strength of the created passwords and shed light into whether and how the visual strategy of the users during graphical password composition is associated with the passwords’ strength. For doing so, we adopted Witkin’s Field Dependence-Independence theory, which underpins individual differences in visual information and cognitive processing, as graphical password composition tasks are associated with visual search. The analysis revealed that users with different cognitive processing characteristics followed different patterns of visual behavior during password composition which affected the strength of the created passwords. The findings underpin the need of considering human-cognitive characteristics as a design factor in graphical password schemes. The paper concludes by discussing implications for improving recognition-based graphical passwords through adaptation and personalization techniques based on individual cognitive characteristics.     

一种新的混合式身份认证技术

系统资源的安全与访问者的身份认证有着直接的关系，目前绝大多数系统的身份认证是基于常规口令的，由于人本身的因素使常规口令并不安全，因此在常规口令的基础上结合人对图像很容易识别的现象提出半可视化口令保护技术。这种技术使系统用户免去记忆枯燥的常规口令的麻烦基础上提高口令的记忆效率和安全性。给出了相关的定义和认证过程，实验验证了该技术便于记忆且是安全的。     

一种基于随机数的高效远程认证方案

提出了一种基于随机数的高效远程认证方案,无需存储密码字典或验证表,使用随机数替代时间戳,可以有效抵抗重放攻击。用户可以自由更改密码。方案计算开销小、简洁、高效、实用、安全性高。     

基于相互认证和3DES加密的智能卡远程支付系统认证方案

针对现有基于智能卡支付系统的安全方案存在密码暴露、信息泄露和身份认证等问题,提出一种新的基于相互认证和3DES加密的智能卡远程支付系统认证方案。分析基于二次剩余的支付认证方案的不足,在注册、登录、身份认证和密码更改阶段对其进行改进,避免密码暴露攻击,提高密码更改阶段的安全性,同时结合3DES加密算法对支付信息进行加密处理。性能分析表明,该方案能有效抵御多种攻击,且用户能够自由地修改密码,同时可对用户信息进行匿名保护。与现有智能卡支付认证方案相比,该方案提高了支付系统的安全性能且具有较小的计算复杂度。     

基于改进Das协议的无线传感器网络用户认证协议UAPL

针对在无线传感器网络中采用用户认证的方式获取节点数据时,容易出现密码被破译,以及容易遭受多种网络攻击等安全性问题,在改进Das协议的双因素身份验证的基础上,引入了用户与网关、网关与传感器节点之间的互相验证机制以及用户密码变更机制,提出了UAPL协议。UAPL协议具有防止网关节点旁路攻击、伪装攻击等网络攻击的安全验证机制,提供的密码变更防护能防止由于密码泄露而引发的安全问题。实验结果表明,UAPL协议与其他改进Das协议相比具有较高的安全性。     

基于动态ID的远程用户身份认证方案

用户身份认证作为网络安全和信息安全的第一道屏障,有着非常重要的作用.口令与智能卡相结合的认证方式可以克服传统口令认证方式的诸多弊端,能够提高网络和信息系统整体的安全性.对基于动态ID的远程用户身份认证方案进行了分析,指出了该方案在入侵者持有用户智能卡的情况下,即使不知道用户口令也能够伪装成合法用户通过远程系统的身份验证,获取系统的网络资源.提出了一种改进方案,能有效抵御重放攻击、伪造攻击、口令猜测攻击、内部攻击和伪装攻击.     

基于混沌映射的用户匿名三方口令认证密钥协商协议

在基于混沌的三方口令认证密钥协商协议中,用户通过低熵的口令实现相互认证和共享会话密钥,以避免在身份认证过程中公钥基础设施或存储用户长期密钥的安全威胁。通过分析Lee提出的基于混沌映射的口令认证密钥协商协议,发现其协议不能进行口令变更,而且仅适用于用户和服务器之间的两方通信。为了改进此方案,提出两个基于切比雪夫混沌映射的用户匿名三方口令认证密钥协商协议,包括基于时钟同步的密钥协商方案和基于随机数的密钥协商方案。其中基于时钟同步的用户匿名三方口令认证密钥协商协议通信量少,基于随机数的用户匿名三方口令认证密钥协商协议更容易实现。两个方案的优点是用户仅选择一个简单的口令进行相互认证和密钥协商,服务器不需要再保护用户口令表,避免了口令相关的攻击,而且在相互认证过程中用户使用临时身份和哈希函数,实现用户匿名性,在增强协议安全性的同时,减少了通信过程中消息的数量,提高了协议的执行效率,具有完美前向安全,并用BAN逻辑证明了其安全性。