Security:ClearTextPasswords

This is a draft, the resources below clearly tell that clear text passwords in digital information systems are a NoGo no matter what's in some "specification sheet" or other service provider agreements ;-)

CISSP

Well, it's one of the CISSP questions, but let's have a closer look:

What is the BEST method of storing passwords for a system:
- password-protected file
- file restricted to one individual
- one-way encrypted file
- two-way encrypted file

You may have already guessed it: a one-way encrypted file is the correct answer.

Of course there are other options so an encrypted password in the credential file works out well, too. So if your service provider keeps telling you that clear text passwords (credentials) don't matter at all, that's a killer argument ;-)

Furthermore, did you know that there's a so called:

Code of ethics

(ISC)²

https://www.isc2.org/Ethics#

or the following resource in the

German Wikipedia

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Information_Systems_Security_Professional#Code_of_Ethics

"Handelt ein CISSP nicht nach diesen Grundsätzen, kann er jederzeit durch einen anderen CISSP bei der (ISC)² gemeldet werden."

Next steps

Of course therefore you should either be a CISSP or know somebody who is a CISSP.

In my case I know some of my former fellow students who are having a valid CISSP certification.

Book(s)

Computer Security Basics

Rick Lehtinen, Deborah Russel & G.T. Gangemi Sr. ; Released June 2006 ; ISBN-13: 978-0596006693

Page 65-66

You can imagine, there's an endless list of books which are telling the us same story ;-)

CWE(s)

https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/256.html

Background

Why am I writing this article? Because I got the credentials for accessing the account from my former personal hosting provider in clear text :-(