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01 Jan 2024, 11:05
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In the field of online security, it’s commonly believed that longer passwords are inherently more secure than shorter ones. A recent study, however, suggests a different perspective. Cybersecurity experts analyzed data breaches and found that the complexity of a password (a mix of characters, numbers, and symbols) is often a more critical factor in security than length alone. They observed that passwords with higher complexity were less likely to be breached, even if they were shorter in length. The experts propose that focusing on password complexity, rather than length, could enhance online security.
Which of the following, if true, most supports the cybersecurity experts' conclusion?
A. Security breaches show that compromised passwords were often long or lacked complexity, with no clear indication of which factor was more significant
B. Advanced password-cracking software can break long passwords more quickly if they are not complex, emphasizing the need for modern security tools.
C. Statistical data shows that passwords based solely on words, even if lengthy, are more frequently breached than shorter, more complex passwords.
D. Research indicates that users often choose longer passwords for sensitive accounts which tend to follow predictable patterns, suggesting a need for better user education on password security.
E. A survey revealed that despite choosing lengthy passwords, many users reuse these across accounts, indicating that password management practices are a significant security concern
Which of the following, if true, most supports the cybersecurity experts' conclusion?
A. Security breaches show that compromised passwords were often long or lacked complexity, with no clear indication of which factor was more significant
B. Advanced password-cracking software can break long passwords more quickly if they are not complex, emphasizing the need for modern security tools.
C. Statistical data shows that passwords based solely on words, even if lengthy, are more frequently breached than shorter, more complex passwords.
D. Research indicates that users often choose longer passwords for sensitive accounts which tend to follow predictable patterns, suggesting a need for better user education on password security.
E. A survey revealed that despite choosing lengthy passwords, many users reuse these across accounts, indicating that password management practices are a significant security concern
01 Jan 2024, 11:05
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Official Solution:
In the field of online security, it’s commonly believed that longer passwords are inherently more secure than shorter ones. A recent study, however, suggests a different perspective. Cybersecurity experts analyzed data breaches and found that the complexity of a password (a mix of characters, numbers, and symbols) is often a more critical factor in security than length alone. They observed that passwords with higher complexity were less likely to be breached, even if they were shorter in length. The experts propose that focusing on password complexity, rather than length, could enhance online security.
Which of the following, if true, most supports the cybersecurity experts' conclusion?
A. Security breaches show that compromised passwords were often long or lacked complexity, with no clear indication of which factor was more significant
B. Advanced password-cracking software can break long passwords more quickly if they are not complex, emphasizing the need for modern security tools.
C. Statistical data shows that passwords based solely on words, even if lengthy, are more frequently breached than shorter, more complex passwords.
D. Research indicates that users often choose longer passwords for sensitive accounts which tend to follow predictable patterns, suggesting a need for better user education on password security.
E. A survey revealed that despite choosing lengthy passwords, many users reuse these across accounts, indicating that password management practices are a significant security concern
A: Security breaches show that compromised passwords were often long or lacked complexity, with no clear indication of which factor was more significant.
Incorrect: This answer choice supports half of the argument - it states that the compromised passwords indeed lacked complexity or were long. However, the passwords could also be long and complex. Even if the passwords that were long were simple and the ones that were complex were not long, that still would not support the conclusion as the answer choice is ambiguous about which factor was more impactful.
B: Advanced password-cracking software can break long passwords more quickly if they are not complex, emphasizing the need for modern security tools.
Incorrect: This answer choice merely tells us that software can break long passwords quicker if they are not complex. It does not say anything about short complex passwords which is a part of the argument.
C: Statistical data shows that passwords based solely on common words, even if lengthy, are more frequently breached than shorter, more complex passwords.
CORRECT ANSWER: This answer choice indeed gives us proof and evidence that complexity is a more critical factor in securing passwords than length alone.
D: Research indicates that users often choose longer passwords for sensitive accounts which tend to follow predictable patterns, suggesting a need for better user education on password security.
Incorrect: this answer choice focuses more on the behavioral aspect and education rather than supporting the superiority of complexity over length in enhancing security. This answer choice is outside of the scope of the question.
E: A survey revealed that despite choosing lengthy passwords, many users reuse these across accounts, indicating that password management practices are a significant security concern.
Incorrect: This answer choice highlights a different aspect of security (password management) that is outside of the scope of the argument.
Answer: C
In the field of online security, it’s commonly believed that longer passwords are inherently more secure than shorter ones. A recent study, however, suggests a different perspective. Cybersecurity experts analyzed data breaches and found that the complexity of a password (a mix of characters, numbers, and symbols) is often a more critical factor in security than length alone. They observed that passwords with higher complexity were less likely to be breached, even if they were shorter in length. The experts propose that focusing on password complexity, rather than length, could enhance online security.
Which of the following, if true, most supports the cybersecurity experts' conclusion?
A. Security breaches show that compromised passwords were often long or lacked complexity, with no clear indication of which factor was more significant
B. Advanced password-cracking software can break long passwords more quickly if they are not complex, emphasizing the need for modern security tools.
C. Statistical data shows that passwords based solely on words, even if lengthy, are more frequently breached than shorter, more complex passwords.
D. Research indicates that users often choose longer passwords for sensitive accounts which tend to follow predictable patterns, suggesting a need for better user education on password security.
E. A survey revealed that despite choosing lengthy passwords, many users reuse these across accounts, indicating that password management practices are a significant security concern
A: Security breaches show that compromised passwords were often long or lacked complexity, with no clear indication of which factor was more significant.
Incorrect: This answer choice supports half of the argument - it states that the compromised passwords indeed lacked complexity or were long. However, the passwords could also be long and complex. Even if the passwords that were long were simple and the ones that were complex were not long, that still would not support the conclusion as the answer choice is ambiguous about which factor was more impactful.
B: Advanced password-cracking software can break long passwords more quickly if they are not complex, emphasizing the need for modern security tools.
Incorrect: This answer choice merely tells us that software can break long passwords quicker if they are not complex. It does not say anything about short complex passwords which is a part of the argument.
C: Statistical data shows that passwords based solely on common words, even if lengthy, are more frequently breached than shorter, more complex passwords.
CORRECT ANSWER: This answer choice indeed gives us proof and evidence that complexity is a more critical factor in securing passwords than length alone.
D: Research indicates that users often choose longer passwords for sensitive accounts which tend to follow predictable patterns, suggesting a need for better user education on password security.
Incorrect: this answer choice focuses more on the behavioral aspect and education rather than supporting the superiority of complexity over length in enhancing security. This answer choice is outside of the scope of the question.
E: A survey revealed that despite choosing lengthy passwords, many users reuse these across accounts, indicating that password management practices are a significant security concern.
Incorrect: This answer choice highlights a different aspect of security (password management) that is outside of the scope of the argument.
Answer: C
03 Jun 2024, 21:49
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Hi bb
In option A.
Analysis of security breaches revealed that most compromised passwords, regardless of length, lacked a diverse combination of characters and symbols.
The option tells that the length is not at all a factor that decides the strength of a password but the complexity which is exactly what we want to prove. I don't understand why option A is wrong.
In the explanation it is mentioned that we want to compare the length vs complexity, but as the option provides length is not a factor then it should mean complexity is better than length.
In option A.
Analysis of security breaches revealed that most compromised passwords, regardless of length, lacked a diverse combination of characters and symbols.
The option tells that the length is not at all a factor that decides the strength of a password but the complexity which is exactly what we want to prove. I don't understand why option A is wrong.
In the explanation it is mentioned that we want to compare the length vs complexity, but as the option provides length is not a factor then it should mean complexity is better than length.
