Apple is launching open-source tools to enable password managers to create strong passwords that are compatible with commonly used websites and platforms.
Password Manager Resources, introduced on GitHub, enables developers to integrate website-specific requirements used by the iCloud Keychain password manager to generate strong, unique passwords.
The tools were released to solve an issue that many password managers encounter. Unique and secure passwords that are automatically generated are not always compatible with the websites for which they are created.
There is a concern that users will use their own insecure passwords if password managers cannot create a password that is compatible with the specific requirements of the website.
“By publicly documenting website-specific policies, password managers can encourage websites to use standards or emerging standards to improve their compatibility with password managers. By improving the quality of password managers, we improve user confidence in them as a concept, which benefits everyone,” the project’s readme stated.
Passwords are outdated
Passwords are becoming outdated. Passwordless login solutions, such as multi-factor authentication, are the future for logging into services and websites. Users who only secure accounts with a common password are often exposed to simple cyber attacks. People often reuse passwords, which makes these accounts an easy target for hackers.
Last year’s research showed that 44 million users of Microsoft services used passwords that had previously been captured in data breaches. Microsoft then reset all passwords, which meant that users were forced to change their passwords to regain access.
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