Feb 15 2009
What Will Replace Passwords?
Most of the time, when I write these “What Will Replace” stories, I don’t have a valid suggestion for the topic. Instead, the post is intended to make you and others think about possibilities for the replacement.
But in this case, I actually have a very feasible option that can be created using graphic editing software such as Photoshop and in my case Picnik. The concept is based on those algorithim things that mathematicians and computer geeks understand. I only know that they are a bunch of numbers and formulae that can be run through various iterations. The resulting jumble of numbers is pretty difficult to decode, I would think.
So I started with a graphic that I created and set it to 256 x 256 pixels. I learned that computers work well with numbers like 128 and 256 because they are divisible by 8 and return an even number. So this could be considered a variation on 128 bit encryption with the additional complication of colour and a password.
The next six graphics might make this a little easier to understand.
- Original graphic
- Addition of a password using a font. In this case, Georgia-Bold-Italic in various colours using the full range available in Windows. It could be randomly resized.
- Rotating the password on an axis. In fact the password could probably be the owner’s real name or a username.
- Resetting the font to difference in the text options in Picnik.
- Run the new graphic through the Hypnotic option.
- Set the Hypnotic option to Difference.
The final graphic could be used as a sort of electronic colour signature that would have to be matched on either a high resolution printed document or via a digital transmission. Scanners and id matching software would probably be required to identify the sender as the owner.
It seems to me that this has promise. Maybe the CIA can play with it and see if they can decode it. I’m hoping they might advance me funding for my research project. The annual fee for the Picnik Premium upgrade is $24.95 US.
Maybe you could send it on my birthday every year. I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you what it is. I’m thinking you might already have it on file.
Sing it Sheryl
“All I wanna’ do…..
