RE: Using non-printable characters in passwords

From: Optrics Engineering - Shaun Sturby, MCSE (Shaun_at_Optrics.com)
Date: 08/07/03

  • Next message: Paul Farag: "RE: XP Box appears to be compromised" 
    To: <security-basics@securityfocus.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2003 16:29:39 -0600

    Executive Summary: This manifesto is designed to give system administrators a
    better grasp on the importance of password security. It is also designed to help
    users understand the importance of choosing a strong password

    http://www.somorita.com/Networking/PasswordManifesto.asp

    Want to make it even stronger? The there are some characters that you can type
    but that don't exist on the keyboard. I call these ALT characters. You get
    these characters by holding down the ALT key and typing a code on the numeric
    keypad. For example, if I type ALT-156 I get ?. Pretty kewl, eh? And you can
    use that as a key combination as one of the characters in your password. Most
    password cracking programs never check those characters and if they did it would
    take them much longer to crack passwords. Some of the common ALT combinations
    are shown at the end of this document.

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Birl [mailto:sbirl@temple.edu]
    Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2003 12:41 PM
    To: security-basics@securityfocus.com
    Subject: Using non-printable characters in passwords

    Using cross-platform keyboards (SUN, Windows, Mac), how does one use
    non-printable characters in their passwords?

    Since I work cross-platform, I use only a limited number of characters
    while holding down the CTRL key.

    Whilst searching Google, I came across a SecurityFocus article that said:
    "hold down the ALT key while pressing the 1,2, and 9 keys on the numeric
    keypad"

    Additionally, the Google search I used
          non-printable characters passwords
    came up with more information about recovery and programs to avoid using
    non-printable characters.

    Are there any other combinations? If I recall correctly, a SANS
    instructor mentioned making use of the "Print Screen" key.

    Thanks in advance

     Scott Birl http://concept.temple.edu/sysadmin/
     Senior Systems Administrator Computer Services Temple University
    ====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====+====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*

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  • Next message: Paul Farag: "RE: XP Box appears to be compromised"

    Relevant Pages

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    • Re: The Impotance Of Being Earnest
      ... find keyboard maps on the Net somewhere. ... the numeric code on the keypad, ... sign hold the ALT key, 0176 on the keypad, and release the ALT key. ...
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    • Re: The Impotance Of Being Earnest
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