The password is generated by selecting one character at a time at random from the chosen character sets and they are mixed together before a single character is selected. The mixing process and single character selection is done using PHP's random_int function to generate cryptographically secure pseudo-random integers which provides cryptographic security making it resistant to prediction and attacks, uniform distribution generating a random number within a specified range with equal probability by randomly selecting each character independently from a large set.
Additionally, all passwords can include unique and non-consecutive characters of the same type, increasing strength exceeding minimum standards. They are considered stronger when each additional unique character adds to the password's entropy, making it harder to guess or crack through brute-force attacks. Non-consecutive characters prevent patterns that can be exploited by attackers. Sequential characters (e.g., "1234" or "abcd") are more predictable and can be targeted by attackers using pattern-based techniques.
Using strong and complex passwords is a fundamental aspect of personal and organizational cybersecurity. It plays a crucial role in protecting sensitive information, maintaining privacy, and preventing various forms of cyberattacks. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the importance of strong passwords cannot be overstated.
1. PROTECTION AGAINST UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS
2. SAFEGUARD AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT
3. PREVENTING CASCADING SECURITY FAILURES
4. COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITY POLICIES
5. MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF DATA BREACHES
6. MODERN THREAT LANDSCAPE
Password entropy is a measurement of how difficult it would be for a cybercriminal to crack or successfully guess your password. When calculating password entropy, the calculation takes into account how long your password is and the variation of characters you're using. Character variations include the use of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
The minimum entropy for a password to be considered secure can depend on the context and the specific security requirements. Higher entropy values indicate stronger passwords. However, general guidelines can be given based on common security practices.
Entropy calculation: Entropy is calculated using the formula log2(charsetSize^length), which is equivalent to length * log2(charsetSize)
LOW SECURITY: For casual use or low-security applications, a password with at least 40-50 bits of entropy might be sufficient. Examples include non-critical personal accounts or internal applications with minimal security risk.
MEDIUM SECURITY: For most user accounts on websites and services, 60-70 bits of entropy is recommended. This is typically strong enough to protect against most common attacks, including brute force and dictionary attacks.
HIGH SECURITY: For high-security applications, such as financial services, administrative accounts, or systems containing sensitive information, at least 80-100 bits of entropy is recommended. This level of entropy is considered very strong and is resilient against extensive brute force attacks.
Password entropy is crucial because it influences how easily a cybercriminal can crack your password using methods such as brute force attacks, credential stuffing, and password guessing. The greater the entropy of your password, the lower the chance that you will fall prey to these types of password-related attacks.
BRUTE FORCE ATTACKS: Brute force attacks occur when cybercriminals utilize software to guess login credentials through a process of trial and error. This software systematically inputs dictionary words, phrases, common passwords, or specific character combinations until the correct credentials are found.
CREDENTIAL STUFFING: Credential stuffing is a form of brute force attack where cybercriminals use a batch of credentials to access multiple accounts simultaneously. These criminals often use credentials that have been cracked, purchased on the dark web, or obtained from data breaches. If a user reuses the same password across multiple accounts, the cybercriminal can potentially access all those accounts with the stolen credentials.
PASSWORD GUESSING: Password guessing is exactly what it sounds like: a cybercriminal attempts to guess a user's password. They often succeed if the victim uses easily accessible personal information, such as details from their social media profiles, in their password.