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