Calculating Password Entropy for Human-Created Passwords
When it comes to password security, it’s important to have a strong password that is difficult for hackers to crack. But how can we accurately calculate the entropy of human-created passwords and provide users with a realistic cost-to-crack estimate? In this article, we’ll explore different methods to determine password strength and introduce a powerful tool called zxcvbn.
One common problem with standard password entropy calculation methods is that they often fail to accurately estimate the strength of human-created passwords. For example, a human-created password like ‘isAwtheSUN’ may have the same entropy as a machine-generated password like ‘rmrgKDAyeY’, even though the former seems stronger.
To overcome this limitation, I recommend using the zxcvbn library. Developed by Dropbox, zxcvbn uses a dictionary and analyzes common words, patterns, and substitutions to provide a more accurate estimation of the entropy of the password creation process.
By considering factors such as common word usage, common patterns, and common substitutions, zxcvbn can provide a better understanding of the strength of human-created passwords. This allows us to give users a cost-to-crack estimate that reflects the actual security of their password.
Implementing zxcvbn in your application is relatively straightforward. You can find the library on GitHub (https://github.com/dropbox/zxcvbn) and follow the provided documentation to integrate it into your password strength algorithm.
By using zxcvbn, you can enhance your password strength testing and provide users with a more accurate assessment of their password’s security. This not only helps users make informed decisions about their password choices but also increases overall security for your application.
Remember, calculating password entropy is crucial in determining the strength of human-created passwords. With the help of tools like zxcvbn, you can ensure that your users have a clear understanding of the cost-to-crack their passwords and take appropriate measures to enhance their security.