Grench
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I had this idea years ago when the Pandora was in development. I still think it's a good one to consider.
Keeping your mobile device locked when not in use is generally a good idea. The Linux login screen and having to re-type everything just to change a song (or check for a message or other) is a bit inconvenient.
We will have two nubs and four shoulder buttons. Each nub is semi-analog. Precise re-positioning is unlikely, we're human after all. However, if divided into 8 directions with 10-50%, 51-90% and full 100% in that direction, each nub can generate 3 possibilities in each of 8 directions yielding 24 different combinations.
With two nubs and 24 combinations each, the nubs alone can yield 24*24 = 576 combinations.
Add in the 4 shoulder buttons - each with 2 positions. 576*2*2*2*2 = 9216 permutations.
The usual 3x3 select 4 Android lock screen is 9^4 = 6561.
A Master padlock has values 0-39 (40) and 3 positions yielding 64,000 in theory, but reality is much fewer.
A truly random 'strong' password using a standard keyboard with the 53 keys (characters, numbers and easily found symbols) and 8 entries yields 6.2*10^13.
A lock screen ins't really security so much as it deters casual nosy people.
With an option for visible feedback - i.e. a screen with the two nubs and 4 buttons and their state presented - it could be very easy to use. Without the visible help, it could be very difficult to casually crack.
Now, the above example is with the buttons and nubs going from nothing to a single position. Using two or more 'combinations' in series quickly becomes real security.
1 set = 9,216 permutations. Better than the usual Android lock screen.
2 sets = 84,934,656 permutations. Better than a Master padlock with 3 values.
3 sets = 782,757,789,696 permutations.
4 sets? 7.2*10^15 permutations. Better than an 8 character truly random keyboard password using characters, numbers and readily available symbols.
5 sets? 6.6*10^19. Better than an 11 character truly random keyboard password.
Each 'combination' of nubs & buttons might take someone 1 second to input - probably 1/3 second with practice. If you're a casual user with nothing sensitive on the device, a single set could be as simple as right nub right and right top shoulder button. If you're paranoid, 4 actions in under 2 seconds could be stronger than 90% of the passwords in the world.
All from a couple of flicks of 2 nubs and covering or not some or all of 4 buttons.
Thoughts?
Keeping your mobile device locked when not in use is generally a good idea. The Linux login screen and having to re-type everything just to change a song (or check for a message or other) is a bit inconvenient.
We will have two nubs and four shoulder buttons. Each nub is semi-analog. Precise re-positioning is unlikely, we're human after all. However, if divided into 8 directions with 10-50%, 51-90% and full 100% in that direction, each nub can generate 3 possibilities in each of 8 directions yielding 24 different combinations.
With two nubs and 24 combinations each, the nubs alone can yield 24*24 = 576 combinations.
Add in the 4 shoulder buttons - each with 2 positions. 576*2*2*2*2 = 9216 permutations.
The usual 3x3 select 4 Android lock screen is 9^4 = 6561.
A Master padlock has values 0-39 (40) and 3 positions yielding 64,000 in theory, but reality is much fewer.
A truly random 'strong' password using a standard keyboard with the 53 keys (characters, numbers and easily found symbols) and 8 entries yields 6.2*10^13.
A lock screen ins't really security so much as it deters casual nosy people.
With an option for visible feedback - i.e. a screen with the two nubs and 4 buttons and their state presented - it could be very easy to use. Without the visible help, it could be very difficult to casually crack.
Now, the above example is with the buttons and nubs going from nothing to a single position. Using two or more 'combinations' in series quickly becomes real security.
1 set = 9,216 permutations. Better than the usual Android lock screen.
2 sets = 84,934,656 permutations. Better than a Master padlock with 3 values.
3 sets = 782,757,789,696 permutations.
4 sets? 7.2*10^15 permutations. Better than an 8 character truly random keyboard password using characters, numbers and readily available symbols.
5 sets? 6.6*10^19. Better than an 11 character truly random keyboard password.
Each 'combination' of nubs & buttons might take someone 1 second to input - probably 1/3 second with practice. If you're a casual user with nothing sensitive on the device, a single set could be as simple as right nub right and right top shoulder button. If you're paranoid, 4 actions in under 2 seconds could be stronger than 90% of the passwords in the world.
All from a couple of flicks of 2 nubs and covering or not some or all of 4 buttons.
Thoughts?