Reusable passwords are the mainstay of most access control systems.
Reusable passwords have been in use for many years. Yet, this mechanism hasn't changed much and hasn't kept pace with changes in computing technologies. Cleartext password traveling over Local and Wide Area Networks and the Internet can be grabbed from networks using sniffers available from various BBSs and the Internet. Lax security procedures, lack of standards, and general apathy about the need for good security measures also contribute significantly to the weaknesses of reusable passwords. The weaknesses of reusable passwords are many.