Password Security Assessment Tool for Small Businesses

Abstract

Passwords are still the most common method to control access to computer systems, data, networks, and applications. Properly chosen, strong, and managed passwords can be an effective first-line defense against unauthorized access. This project presents the development, implementation, and testing of a password assessment tool that provides a security score based on best practices and guidelines and classifies a password, as either weak, moderate, or strong. The assessment tool, using rule-based logic, computed user’s passwords scores and evaluated them in length, character alteration, variety, dictionary word sequence, repeated characters, and number series and based on these factors is how their classification was given. The tool was tested with sample passwords, results recorded, analyzed, and evaluated to provide recommendations and a guide for increasing password security. The purpose of the research is to increase password security awareness and to provide an easy-to-use password assessment tool for organizations and individuals.