Password-based cryptography is the study of password-based key encryption, decryption, and authorization. It generally refers two distinct classes of methods:
- Single-party methods
- Multi-party methods
Single party methods
Some systems attempt to derive a cryptographic key directly from a password. However, such practice is generally ill-advised when there is a threat of brute-force attack. Techniques to mitigate such attack include passphrases and iterated (deliberately slow) password-based key derivation functions such as PBKDF2 (RFC 2898).
Multi-party methods
Password-authenticated key agreement systems allow two or more parties that agree on a password (or password-related data) to derive shared keys without exposing the password or keys to network attack.[1] Earlier generations of challenge–response authentication systems have also been used with passwords, but these have generally been subject to eavesdropping and/or brute-force attacks on the password.
See also
References
Further reading
