How Password Generators Work

By Erin Monaghan

Many password protection software include a password generator. A password generator provides the user with an option to allow the system to assign passwords to usernames and logins. Password generators use a combination of case sensitive letters, numbers and symbols mathematically generated to provide the user with the strongest, hardest to hack passwords.

Password generators use encryption algorithms to create their passwords. Encryption algorithms are complex mathematical equations created by cryptologists—people that study the making and breaking of codes. There are only about a dozen different types of encryption algorithms and only a few have been proven completely hack proof. Government agencies and computer companies alike use these encryption algorithms to protect sensitive information pertaining to national security.

When looking for security in a password protection program look for the bit-strength and which type of encryption algorithm the program uses. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) also known as Rijndael, and Blowfish are two reputable encryption algorithms used by password management software programs. AES is the official US government encryption standard. These programs use 64 to 256-bit protectors.

Without going into the nitty-gritty of these algorithms, it really comes down to the higher the number of bits the stronger the algorithm. The stronger the algorithm the harder it is to hack or crack the password.

All this encryption jargon may beg the question; why would my email password need to be protected by the same programs used by the Department of Defense? Fact is, we don't just use passwords for email any more. Nowadays most of our daily activities are available to us at the touch of a mouse button. We can and do regularly access bank accounts, pay bills and shop online. Each of these activities requires its own name and password.

In order to remember the mountains of password information we’ve accumulated over the years, we break the cardinal rules of password management: one, we use the same password for all our information and two, we use simple to remember things like our pet’s or children's names. Hackers rely on the everyday user to make these mistakes.

In order to curve hacker attacks many password management programs include a password generator which employs one or more encryption algorithms to make passwords safer and harder to hack.

In the end, who wouldn’t want to know that the information on their computer is as secure as the information in the Pentagon?

If you would like to read more about encryption algorithms Mycrypto.net and nist.gov have a very detailed explanations pertaining to the mathematics of some of these algorithms. Click here for the top password management software.

Resources Used

MyCrypto.net, (2006). Encryption Algorithms. Retrieved June 13, 2006, from MyCryto.net Web site: http://www.mycrypto.net/encryption/crypto_algorithms.html

CP Lab, (2002-2006). Cryptology for an average Joe. Retrieved June 13, 2006, from CP Lab.com Web site: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Password-Managers-Generators/Password-Manager-XP.shtml

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