Progressive Login Length to Prevent Lockouts and Dictionary Attacks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users are often locked out of restricted networks or applications after a few incorrect login attempts, causing frustration and resource consumption, and existing systems are vulnerable to hacking through dictionary attacks.
Innovation Solution
Implement a system that progressively increases the length of login information by concatenating characters at each failed attempt, allowing users to provide prespecified login information at subsequent levels, thereby reducing lockouts and mitigating hacking risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system denies access after a pre-determined number of incorrect login attempts, then security against brute force attacks is improved, but user convenience and access reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The login system dynamically adjusts the login information requirements based on the number of failed attempts. Initially, users provide standard login information. After a threshold number of failures, the system progressively increases the login information length by concatenating additional characters, transforming a static access control mechanism into a dynamic one that adapts to user behavior patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of login information length based on the number of failed attempts. The login information starts with a base length and progressively increases by concatenating additional characters (e.g., date, time, or random strings) after each failed attempt, thereby modifying the authentication parameter dynamically to prevent brute force attacks while allowing legitimate users to recover access.
2Reliability
If the system requires users to contact administrator or reset password after failed attempts, then security is maintained, but time consumption and user frustration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service recovery by automatically generating progressively longer login information based on the failed attempt count. Instead of requiring administrator intervention or manual password reset, the system autonomously adjusts authentication requirements and guides users through the recovery process, reducing time loss while maintaining security through increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to users by displaying the number of failed attempts and the current login information requirements. This feedback mechanism guides users through the progressive authentication process, allowing them to understand the situation and provide correct information faster, thereby reducing the time required for recovery without compromising security.
3Ease of operation
If the system uses fixed login information length, then ease of operation is maintained, but vulnerability to dictionary attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static fixed-length login information model to a dynamic progressive-length model. The login information starts simple for ease of operation but automatically increases in complexity through character concatenation after failed attempts, thereby adapting to prevent dictionary attacks while maintaining initial user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares multiple versions of login information with increasing lengths in advance. Instead of requiring users to manually create complex passwords, the system pre-generates progressively longer login information strings that can be concatenated based on the number of failed attempts, thereby preparing defensive measures before attacks occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for preventing login lockout to a restricted space is provided. The system identifies first login information and prespecified login information that are used to access the restricted space. The prespecified login information has the first login information and an additional character. The system determines an event of failed login attempts based on failing to enter the first login information meeting a threshold condition of a preset amount of times. In response to failing to enter the first login information, the system requires a user to enter the prespecified login information in order to access the restricted space. The system can also determine that the correct prespecified login information was provided and then grant access to the restricted space.