Passwords strategies for the semi-paranoid

The only good passwords are those you can't remember

Password managers to the rescue!

Online password managers

Storing your passwords with a 3rd party provider

Convenient for you

  • One place
  • Good integration
  • Backups
  • 2FA
  • Local encryption/decryption

They're in business for this sole purpose

Convenient for hackers

  • Client-side malware
  • Court orders
  • Large target for hacks
  • Insiders

If it's on the web, somebody has access to it.

Conclusion

Pretty safe, but for the paranoid...????

Offline

Storing your password database yourself

Good for the paranoid

At the small expense of less convenience...

  • Safe for paranoid levels 1 - 3000
  • Customizable
  • Open source

What in case of loss?

  • Back up onsite
  • Back up offsite

How to access on the go?

  • Usb thumb drive
  • 3rd party cloud sync

If it's on the web, somebody has access to it.

What in case of 3rd party access?

Multi-factor authentication

Make your master password more than a password

  • Something you know
  • Something you have
  • Something you are

Yubikey

Something you have

  • Static password
  • TOTP
  • Challenge/Response
  • NFC

Yubikey

Simplest approach:

[password you know]
+
[long meaningless static password from yubikey]


**Pro tip**: keep copies of your Yubikey

Key Files

Something you have

  • Regular file(s)
  • Content must be kept secret
  • Must provide key file to open password database

Veracrypt

Hide your password file

  • Create encrypted file, store kdbx file in that
  • Use multi-factor authentication
  • Hide with steganography

Steganography

Steganography in pictures

Steganography

Steganography in pictures

Be paranoid, it's fun!

Determine your attack vectors

Don't forget

XKCD on security

source

Thank you

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