Memory and Motor Processes of Password Entry Error

Published

December 19, 2016

Author(s)

Frank Tamborello, Kristen K. Greene

Abstract

Passwords are tightly interwoven with the digital fabric of our current society. Unfortunately, passwords that provide better security generally tend to be more complex, both in length and composition. Complex passwords are problematic both cognitively and motorically, leading to both memory and motor errors during recall and entry. It is important that we better understand and disentangle the two error sources, as password entry errors can have significant negative consequences, such as being locked out of a critical information system. We present a computational cognitive model of password recall and typing, with memory and motor errors each contributing to password entry error. With this synthesis we can study human-computer interaction issues involving the usability of computer access control systems, specifically the password as an authentication mechanism.

Proceedings Title

Proceedings of the 2015 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting

Conference Dates

October 26-30, 2015

Conference Location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Conference Title

2015 Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

Pub Type

Conferences

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1177/1541931215591146

Local Download

Keywords

Human-Computer Interaction, Learning, Memory, Typing, Human Error, Modeling, Usable Security

Citation

Tamborello, F. and Greene, K. (2016), Memory and Motor Processes of Password Entry Error, Proceedings of the 2015 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, US, [online], https://doi.org/10.1177/1541931215591146, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=918221 (Accessed December 22, 2024)