On 12/29/2011 10:21 PM, Marko Vojinovic wrote: > On Thursday 29 December 2011 13:07:56 Reindl Harald wrote: >> Am 29.12.2011 12:56, schrieb Leonard den Ottolander: >>> Hello Reindl, >>> >>> On Thu, 2011-12-29 at 12:29 +0100, Reindl Harald wrote: >>>> Am 29.12.2011 09:17, schrieb Bennett Haselton: >>>>> Even though the ssh key is more >>>>> random, they're both sufficiently random that it would take at least >>>>> hundreds of years to get in by trial and error. >>>> >>>> if you really think your 12-chars password is as secure >>>> as a ssh-key protcected with this password you should >>>> consider to take some education in security >>> >>> Bennett clearly states that he understands the ssh key is more random, >>> but wonders why a 12 char password (of roughly 6 bits entropy per byte >>> assuming upper& lower case characters and numbers) wouldn't be >>> sufficient. >> >> so explain me why discuss to use or not to use the best >> currently availbale method in context of security? > > Using the ssh key can be problematic because it is too long and too random to > be memorized --- you have to carry it on a usb stick (or whereever). This > provides an additional point of failure should your stick get lost or stolen. > Human brain is still by far the most secure information-storage device. :-) > > It is very inconvenient for people who need to login to their servers from > random remote locations (ie. people who travel a lot or work in hardware- > controlled environment). > > Besides, it is essentially a question of overkill. If password is not good > enough, you could argue that the key is also not good enough --- two keys (or > a larger one) would be more secure. Where do you draw the line? > > Best, :-) > Marko Hi Marko! What about IC cards? I use that a lot, and its reduced my need for a password to something tiny (6 numbers) and requires a physical key (my card). I have the root certificates, private keys, etc. stored offline just in case my card goes nuts, which has happened before, but I've never had a problem with this. When traveling I log in to my home server and work servers with my laptop. Its really a *lot* easier than using a bunch of pasword schemes. I was initially worried that I'd run into a situation where I'd either lose my card traveling, or it would get crushed, or whatever -- but that hasn't happened in 5 years. What has happened in 5 years of doing this is intermittent network outages, work server crashing, web applications failing, database corruption, etc. So from experience (mine and coworkers, at least), it is a lot more likely that problems will arise from totally different vectors than having ssh keys and ic cards making life complicated -- because from this user's perspective its made things a LOT simpler. But it requires a bit of study. Which most people don't do. More to the point most people don't even read popups on the screens, even the big red scary ones, so...