MSID Highlights MSID Opportunities MSID Partners MSID Products MEL MSID Programs MSID Conferences MSID Search MSID Staff MSID Services MSID Standards MSID Publications NIST MSID MSID MSID
Publications

PLEASE NOTE: The Publications System provided by the Manufacturing Systems Integration Division (MSID) has moved to: http://www.mel.nist.gov/msidlibrary/publications.html. The pages below are maintained for archival purposes only.

Publication summary

Author(s): Don Libes

Publication date: September 1994

Citation: Don Libes: "Handling Passwords with Security and Realizability in Background Processes," Proceedings of LISA VIII Systems Administration Conference, September, 1994.

Availability:

  • Postscript
  • A paper copy of this document is available by contacting Kristy Thompson [web,email]
Abstract:
Traditionally, background automation of interactive processes meant giving up security and reliability. With the advent of software such as Expect for controlling interactive processes, it has become possible to improve reliability and security with relative ease. This paper reviews the reliability aspects but focuses primarily on the security aspects, presenting several non-obvious techniques for dealing with passwords and other sensitive information in background processes. These techniques require no changes to existing programs and no new security systems are necessary. With the appropriate tools and examples, these techniques can be applied with surprisingly little effort to a variety of problems.

Attention users of these documents: The information contained in these files should not be altered in any way. Attempts to change these files will adversely impact the integrity of the information and its usefulness. It is intended for use as is and will lose its usefulness if changed.

 

Send questions or comments to Webmaster.