Password Security and Cracking Techniques

  1. Password Creation and Management Principles
    1. User-Level Best Practices
      1. Password Length Requirements
        1. Impact on Security Strength
          1. Balancing Length and Usability
          2. Password Complexity
            1. Character Set Requirements
              1. Uppercase Letters
                1. Lowercase Letters
                  1. Numbers
                    1. Special Symbols
                    2. Avoiding Predictable Patterns
                      1. Sequential Characters
                        1. Keyboard Patterns
                          1. Common Substitutions
                        2. Password Uniqueness
                          1. Risks of Password Reuse
                            1. Strategies for Creating Unique Passwords
                              1. Cross-Service Password Management
                              2. Avoiding Personal Information
                                1. Common Personal Data Mistakes
                                  1. Social Engineering Vulnerabilities
                                    1. Public Information Risks
                                    2. Passphrase Methodology
                                      1. Definition and Advantages
                                        1. Creating Memorable Passphrases
                                          1. Diceware Method
                                            1. Length vs Complexity Trade-offs
                                          2. Organizational Password Policies
                                            1. Policy Development
                                              1. Risk Assessment
                                                1. Compliance Requirements
                                                  1. User Impact Analysis
                                                  2. Complexity Rule Enforcement
                                                    1. Technical Implementation
                                                      1. User Compliance Monitoring
                                                        1. Exception Handling
                                                        2. Password Aging Policies
                                                          1. Minimum Password Age
                                                            1. Maximum Password Age
                                                              1. Forced Expiration Considerations
                                                                1. Modern Recommendations
                                                                2. Password History Requirements
                                                                  1. Preventing Password Reuse
                                                                    1. History Depth Configuration
                                                                      1. Storage Considerations
                                                                      2. Account Lockout Policies
                                                                        1. Lockout Thresholds
                                                                          1. Lockout Duration
                                                                            1. Automatic vs Manual Unlock
                                                                              1. Balancing Security and Usability
                                                                            2. Password Management Tools
                                                                              1. Password Managers
                                                                                1. Core Features
                                                                                  1. Secure Storage
                                                                                    1. Password Generation
                                                                                      1. Autofill Capabilities
                                                                                        1. Cross-Platform Synchronization
                                                                                        2. Master Password Security
                                                                                          1. Security Considerations
                                                                                            1. Recovery Options
                                                                                              1. Backup Strategies
                                                                                              2. Deployment Models
                                                                                                1. Cloud-Based Solutions
                                                                                                  1. Local-Only Solutions
                                                                                                    1. Hybrid Approaches
                                                                                                    2. Enterprise Password Management
                                                                                                      1. Centralized Administration
                                                                                                        1. Policy Enforcement
                                                                                                          1. Audit Capabilities

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                                                                                                    1. Fundamentals of Authentication and Password Security

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                                                                                                    3. Secure Password Storage Mechanisms