Secure password generation

A secure password generation method and system is provided. The method includes enabling by a processor of a computing system, password translation software. The computer processor generates and stores the random translation key. A first password is received and a second associated password is generated. The computer processor associates the second password with a secure application. The computer processor stores the random translation key within an external memory device and disables a connection between the computing system and the external memory device.

FIELD

The present invention relates method and associated system for generating and enabling a secure password.

BACKGROUND

Securing data typically comprises an inaccurate process with little flexibility. Data security within a system typically includes a tedious process that may be time consuming. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art to overcome at least some of the deficiencies and limitations described herein above.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a method comprising: enabling, by a computer processor of a computing system, password translation software; generating, by the computer processor executing the password translation software, a random translation key; storing, by the computer processor within an external memory device, the random translation key, wherein the external memory device is external to the computing system; first receiving, by the computer processor from a user, a first password comprising a first string of characters; generating, by the computer processor executing the random translation key, a second password associated with the first password, wherein the second password comprises a second string of characters differing from the first string of characters; associating, by the computer processor in response to a command from the user, the second password with a first secure application associated with the user; and disabling a connection between the computing system and the external memory device.

The present invention provides computing system comprising a computer processor coupled to a computer-readable memory unit, the memory unit comprising instructions that when executed by the computer processor implements a method comprising: enabling, by said computer processor, password translation software; generating, by the computer processor executing the password translation software, a random translation key; storing, by the computer processor within an external memory device, the random translation key, wherein the external memory device is external to the computing system; first receiving, by the computer processor from a user, a first password comprising a first string of characters; generating, by the computer processor executing the random translation key, a second password associated with the first password, wherein the second password comprises a second string of characters differing from the first string of characters; associating, by the computer processor in response to a command from the user, the second password with a first secure application associated with the user; and disabling a connection between the computing system and the external memory device.

The present invention provides computer program product, comprising a computer readable storage device storing a computer readable program code, the computer readable program code comprising an algorithm that when executed by a computer processor of a computing system implements a method, the method comprising: enabling, by said computer processor, password translation software; generating, by the computer processor executing the password translation software, a random translation key; storing, by the computer processor within an external memory device, the random translation key, wherein the external memory device is external to the computing system; first receiving, by the computer processor from a user, a first password comprising a first string of characters; generating, by the computer processor executing the random translation key, a second password associated with the first password, wherein the second password comprises a second string of characters differing from the first string of characters; associating, by the computer processor in response to a command from the user, the second password with a first secure application associated with the user; and disabling a connection between the computing system and the external memory device.

The present invention advantageously provides a simple method and associated system capable of securing data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a system2for generating a secure password, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. System2uses a translation key (e.g., a translation table) for generating a secure password associated with a simple password for enabling access to a secure application. A translation table associates a given character with a string of one or more different characters.

System2ofFIG. 1comprises a computer12connected through a network7to a computing system14. Additionally, an external memory device17is connected to computer12. Network7may comprise any type of network including, inter alia, a local area network, (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a wireless network, etc. Computer12and computing system14may comprise any type of computing system(s) including, inter alia, a computer (PC), a laptop computer, a server, a PDA, etc. Computer12comprises translator software for generating a translation key or table (e.g., translation key16). Computing system14comprises a memory system8. Memory system8may comprise a single memory system. Alternatively, memory system8may comprise a plurality of memory systems. Memory system8comprises a secure software application18. Software application18comprises a secure application requiring secure access by a user (e.g., a Webpage allowing secure access to banking records). Alternatively, software application or any other secure records may reside on computer12(e.g., personal information on a user's personal computer). External memory device17comprises a translation key (or table)16generated by translator software11. External memory device17may comprise any type of portable memory device including, inter alia; a universal serial bus (USB) device e.g., a USB key or jump drive, a USB hard drive, a USB flash drive, etc), a memory card (e.g., SD, micro SD, memory stick, PC card, etc), a CD or DVD ROM, etc.

The following implementation example describes an installation and usage process enabled by system2and requiring computer12and external memory17for generating and enabling a secure password associated with a simple inputted password in order to enable access to software application18:

Installation

2. Translator software11generates an encryption key and a random translation key or table (e.g., translation key18) that translates each possible character (of a first password) into a string of one or more characters For example:
A=W?z
B=1L
C=!$U3d
3. Translator software11encrypts the translation table using the encryption key. The encryption key is stored on computer12and the encrypted translation table is stored on a portable media device (e.g., external memory device17).
Usage

A user secures a userid of his/her secure bank account application based on the following steps:

1. The user connects external memory17to computer12.

2. The user enables translator software11.

3. Translator software11retrieves translation key18from external memory17and decrypts the translation key16using the encryption key stored during installation.

4. The user selects a (simple) first password (e.g., 1234) and enters the first password into translator software11.

5. Translator software11(optionally) generates a new translation key from the original translation key16, the first password, and additional (optional) elements or attributes such as: a name that the user provides to identify the application, the username used to logon, and/or data such as a current ip address, etc.
6. Using the translation key18or table, the first password in translated into a secure password. For example, a password “1234” is translated to a secure password “A?xwP13K!-$”
7. Translator software11presents the secure password to the user. For example the secure password may be copied into a clipboard.
8. The user may now initiate a password change function associated with his bank account application and paste the secure password into fields associated with a new password. The next time the user attempts to access his/her bank account application, he/she will repeat step 1-7 and then will paste the secure password into the password entry field of the login screen for the bank account application.

System2allows a user to generate different secure passwords for different applications using a single simple password and a name associated with each application. For example, a user may select a name “my bank account” and this name is associated with a specific translated password.

The following implementation example describes a login process enabled by system2.

After installing translator software11and translation key16is generated and stored on external memory17, a user initiates a process for logging into a news application as follows: 1.

The user navigates to a login screen for the news application and enters a user name. Next, the user initiates translator software11and enters the username, a name of the news application (e.g., news A) and a simple password (e.g., 1234). In response, translator software11combines the translation key16and the information provided (i.e., the username, the name of the news application, and the simple password to compute a complex password. The same complex password will be generated each time the input is identical. The complex password is displayed or pushed in a clip board so that the user may paste it in the login screen for the news application.

FIG. 2illustrates a map200detailing the conversion of a simple password205to a complex password207, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Map200details a process that includes a user204entering a password205(Anna) via a computer215. The password205is converted (by translation key16astored on an external memory device17aconnected to computer215) into a complex password207. Complex password207is used by the user to login to a secure application18a(e.g., a banking application).

FIG. 3illustrates a flowchart describing an algorithm used by system2ofFIG. 1for enabling an installation process enabled for generating a secure password, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In step302, a computer processor of a computing system (e.g., computing system14ofFIG. 1) enables password translation software. In step304, the computer processor (executing the password translation software) generates a random translation key (e.g., a translation table). The random translation key is stored within an external (external to the computing system). In step308, the computer processor receives (from a user) a first password comprising a first string of characters. In step310, the computer processor (executing the random translation key) generates a second password associated with the first password. The second password comprises a second string of characters differing from the first string of characters. In step312, the computer processor (in response to a command from the user) associated the second password with a first secure application associated with the user. In step314, the computer processor disables a connection between the computing system and the external memory device (e.g., the external memory device is removed from the computing system).

FIG. 4illustrates a flowchart describing an algorithm used by system2ofFIG. 1for enabling a usage process based on a secure password, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In step402, a computer processor of a computing system (e.g., computing system14ofFIG. 1) enables a connection between the computing system and the external memory device. In step404, the computer processor receives (from the user) the first password (generated inFIG. 3). In step408, the computer processor retrieves (from the external memory device) the second password from the random translation key (generated inFIG. 3). In step410, the computer processor presents the second password to a login screen associated with the first secure application. In step412, the computer processor enables access to the first secure application (in response to presenting the second password). In step414, the computer processor disables the connection between the computing system and the external memory device.

FIG. 5illustrates a computer apparatus90(e.g., computing system14ofFIG. 1) used generating a secure password, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The computer system90comprises a processor91, an input device92coupled to the processor91, an output device93coupled to the processor91, and memory devices94and95each coupled to the processor91. The input device92may be, inter alia, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The output device93may be, inter alia, a printer, a plotter, a computer screen, a magnetic tape, a removable hard disk, a floppy disk, etc. The memory devices94and95may be, inter alia, a hard disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical storage such as a compact disc (CD) or a digital video disc (DVD), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), etc. The memory device95includes a computer code97. The computer code97includes algorithms (e.g., the algorithms ofFIGS. 3-4) generating a secure password. The processor91executes the computer code97. The memory device94includes input data96. The input data96includes input required by the computer code97. The output device93displays output from the computer code97. Either or both memory devices94and95(or one or more additional memory devices not shown inFIG. 5) may comprise the algorithms ofFIGS. 3-4and may be used as a computer usable medium (or a computer readable medium or a program storage device) having a computer readable program code embodied therein and/or having other data stored therein, wherein the computer readable program code comprises the computer code97. Generally, a computer program product (or, alternatively, an article of manufacture) of the computer system90may comprise the computer usable medium (or said program storage device).

Still yet, any of the components of the present invention could be created, integrated, hosted, maintained, deployed, managed, serviced, etc. by a service supplier who offers to generate a secure password. Thus the present invention discloses a process for deploying, creating, integrating, hosting, maintaining, and/or integrating computing infrastructure, comprising integrating computer-readable code into the computer system90, wherein the code in combination with the computer system90is capable of performing a method generating a secure password. In another embodiment, the invention provides a business method that performs the process steps of the invention on a subscription, advertising, and/or fee basis. That is, a service supplier, such as a Solution Integrator, could offer to generate a secure password. In this case, the service supplier can create, maintain, support, etc. a computer infrastructure that performs the process steps of the invention for one or more customers. In return, the service supplier can receive payment from the customer(s) under a subscription and/or fee agreement and/or the service supplier can receive payment from the sale of advertising content to one or more third parties.