Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • World
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse
Code Project
  1. Home
  2. The Lounge
  3. Storing Passwords in Plain Text

Storing Passwords in Plain Text

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Lounge
securityquestion
19 Posts 14 Posters 0 Views 1 Watching
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • D Offline
    D Offline
    DaintyB
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    Has anyone realised that Code Project is storing passwords in plain text? I just went to reset my password and had it emailed to me :wtf: I had expected better than this, especially from a site that includes so many security-based articles in their newsletter. Let's hope this gets fixed soon...

    G OriginalGriffO P W M 6 Replies Last reply
    0
    • D DaintyB

      Has anyone realised that Code Project is storing passwords in plain text? I just went to reset my password and had it emailed to me :wtf: I had expected better than this, especially from a site that includes so many security-based articles in their newsletter. Let's hope this gets fixed soon...

      G Offline
      G Offline
      GuyThiebaut
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      "A request was made to send you your email and password for your CodeProject login. We can't send you your original password so instead we've generated a time-limited password you can use to login in again:" I didn't see any evidence of my original password being stored in plain text.

      “That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”

      ― Christopher Hitchens

      1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • D DaintyB

        Has anyone realised that Code Project is storing passwords in plain text? I just went to reset my password and had it emailed to me :wtf: I had expected better than this, especially from a site that includes so many security-based articles in their newsletter. Let's hope this gets fixed soon...

        OriginalGriffO Offline
        OriginalGriffO Offline
        OriginalGriff
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        :sigh: No, they don't. The one that was sent to you is a temporary value which you can use to log in and change your "real" password when you have forgotten it. Think about it: You have forgotten your password. You tell the site this. There are four options here: 1) It emails you with a message which says "OK, We've changed it" but doesn't tell you what to. You can't log in. 2) It changes it and doesn't tell you what to. You can't log in. 3) It automatically logs you in to change it. You get very annoyed because I just stole your account. 4) It emails you a new password so you can log in, provided you have access to your registered email address. You can log in if you are you, not if you are me. Only the last one retains any security and allows you to forget your password.

        Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640 Never throw anything away, Griff Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay... AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

        "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
        "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt

        J Richard DeemingR 2 Replies Last reply
        0
        • D DaintyB

          Has anyone realised that Code Project is storing passwords in plain text? I just went to reset my password and had it emailed to me :wtf: I had expected better than this, especially from a site that includes so many security-based articles in their newsletter. Let's hope this gets fixed soon...

          P Offline
          P Offline
          phil o
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          Maybe it is better to really read the messages before complaining :) Just saying...

          enum HumanBool { Yes, No, Maybe, Perhaps, Probably, ProbablyNot, MostLikely, MostUnlikely, HellYes, HellNo, Wtf }

          Sander RosselS Z 2 Replies Last reply
          0
          • D DaintyB

            Has anyone realised that Code Project is storing passwords in plain text? I just went to reset my password and had it emailed to me :wtf: I had expected better than this, especially from a site that includes so many security-based articles in their newsletter. Let's hope this gets fixed soon...

            W Offline
            W Offline
            W Balboos GHB
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            Like anyone else with and degree of competence, your password is stored as a hash of the original and cannot be recovered. Even if a site stored your password encrypted (not hashed), it is best to consider it totally insecure.

            Ravings en masse^

            "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

            "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

            G 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • W W Balboos GHB

              Like anyone else with and degree of competence, your password is stored as a hash of the original and cannot be recovered. Even if a site stored your password encrypted (not hashed), it is best to consider it totally insecure.

              Ravings en masse^

              "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

              "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

              G Offline
              G Offline
              GuyThiebaut
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              I hope it is salted and hashed. A merely hashed password is insecure.

              “That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”

              ― Christopher Hitchens

              D M 2 Replies Last reply
              0
              • OriginalGriffO OriginalGriff

                :sigh: No, they don't. The one that was sent to you is a temporary value which you can use to log in and change your "real" password when you have forgotten it. Think about it: You have forgotten your password. You tell the site this. There are four options here: 1) It emails you with a message which says "OK, We've changed it" but doesn't tell you what to. You can't log in. 2) It changes it and doesn't tell you what to. You can't log in. 3) It automatically logs you in to change it. You get very annoyed because I just stole your account. 4) It emails you a new password so you can log in, provided you have access to your registered email address. You can log in if you are you, not if you are me. Only the last one retains any security and allows you to forget your password.

                Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640 Never throw anything away, Griff Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay... AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

                J Offline
                J Offline
                jschell
                wrote on last edited by
                #7
                1. Emails a message that says it was changed and the email has the password but in fact it doesn't. It does however have a customer support telephone line that rings on a conference room phone that absolutely no one ever answers.
                Sander RosselS 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • G GuyThiebaut

                  I hope it is salted and hashed. A merely hashed password is insecure.

                  “That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”

                  ― Christopher Hitchens

                  D Offline
                  D Offline
                  den2k88
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  And not tasty enough.

                  GCS d--(d+) s-/++ a C++++ U+++ P- L+@ E-- W++ N+ o+ K- w+++ O? M-- V? PS+ PE- Y+ PGP t+ 5? X R+++ tv-- b+(+++) DI+++ D++ G e++ h--- r+++ y+++*      Weapons extension: ma- k++ F+2 X

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • G GuyThiebaut

                    I hope it is salted and hashed. A merely hashed password is insecure.

                    “That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”

                    ― Christopher Hitchens

                    M Offline
                    M Offline
                    Matthew Dennis
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    Salted,hashed,and I think it is time-limited as well.

                    "Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana."

                    N Richard DeemingR 2 Replies Last reply
                    0
                    • D DaintyB

                      Has anyone realised that Code Project is storing passwords in plain text? I just went to reset my password and had it emailed to me :wtf: I had expected better than this, especially from a site that includes so many security-based articles in their newsletter. Let's hope this gets fixed soon...

                      M Offline
                      M Offline
                      Mycroft Holmes
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      Oops - you may now remove your foot from ... you need one of these :-O

                      Never underestimate the power of human stupidity - RAH I'm old. I know stuff - JSOP

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • M Matthew Dennis

                        Salted,hashed,and I think it is time-limited as well.

                        "Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana."

                        N Offline
                        N Offline
                        Nelek
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        I suppose that's why a periodic confirmation email comes.

                        M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • J jschell
                          1. Emails a message that says it was changed and the email has the password but in fact it doesn't. It does however have a customer support telephone line that rings on a conference room phone that absolutely no one ever answers.
                          Sander RosselS Offline
                          Sander RosselS Offline
                          Sander Rossel
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12
                          1. I had this one a couple of years ago, change your password and get a letter a week later by traditional snail mail containing your new password. You've guessed it, government :sigh: Since it was government I think I needed that password pretty bad too, I'm thinking it was something with moving/new house/mortgage...

                          Best, Sander sanderrossel.com Continuous Integration, Delivery, and Deployment arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript Object-Oriented Programming in C# Succinctly

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • P phil o

                            Maybe it is better to really read the messages before complaining :) Just saying...

                            enum HumanBool { Yes, No, Maybe, Perhaps, Probably, ProbablyNot, MostLikely, MostUnlikely, HellYes, HellNo, Wtf }

                            Sander RosselS Offline
                            Sander RosselS Offline
                            Sander Rossel
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            Your enum seems to be missing a sensible default value: IllGetBackToYouOnThat And we all know that means the exact opposite :sigh:

                            Best, Sander sanderrossel.com Continuous Integration, Delivery, and Deployment arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript Object-Oriented Programming in C# Succinctly

                            P 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • P phil o

                              Maybe it is better to really read the messages before complaining :) Just saying...

                              enum HumanBool { Yes, No, Maybe, Perhaps, Probably, ProbablyNot, MostLikely, MostUnlikely, HellYes, HellNo, Wtf }

                              Z Offline
                              Z Offline
                              ZurdoDev
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              phil.o wrote:

                              Maybe it is better to really read the messages before complaining

                              The OP DID read through the email quickly. It just so happened that the random new password was the SAME password as OP's original password. :-\

                              Social Media - A platform that makes it easier for the crazies to find each other. Everyone is born right handed. Only the strongest overcome it. Fight for left-handed rights and hand equality.

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • Sander RosselS Sander Rossel

                                Your enum seems to be missing a sensible default value: IllGetBackToYouOnThat And we all know that means the exact opposite :sigh:

                                Best, Sander sanderrossel.com Continuous Integration, Delivery, and Deployment arrgh.js - Bringing LINQ to JavaScript Object-Oriented Programming in C# Succinctly

                                P Offline
                                P Offline
                                phil o
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                We have an expression for that: tossing the dust under the carpet :)

                                enum HumanBool { Yes, No, Maybe, Perhaps, Probably, ProbablyNot, MostLikely, MostUnlikely, HellYes, HellNo, Wtf }

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • OriginalGriffO OriginalGriff

                                  :sigh: No, they don't. The one that was sent to you is a temporary value which you can use to log in and change your "real" password when you have forgotten it. Think about it: You have forgotten your password. You tell the site this. There are four options here: 1) It emails you with a message which says "OK, We've changed it" but doesn't tell you what to. You can't log in. 2) It changes it and doesn't tell you what to. You can't log in. 3) It automatically logs you in to change it. You get very annoyed because I just stole your account. 4) It emails you a new password so you can log in, provided you have access to your registered email address. You can log in if you are you, not if you are me. Only the last one retains any security and allows you to forget your password.

                                  Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640 Never throw anything away, Griff Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay... AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

                                  Richard DeemingR Offline
                                  Richard DeemingR Offline
                                  Richard Deeming
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  OriginalGriff wrote:

                                  1. It emails you a new password so you can log in,

                                  Preferably without changing your current password until you use the new one. No password DoS, please! :-D


                                  "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer

                                  "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined" - Homer

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • M Matthew Dennis

                                    Salted,hashed,and I think it is time-limited as well.

                                    "Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana."

                                    Richard DeemingR Offline
                                    Richard DeemingR Offline
                                    Richard Deeming
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    The OTP may be time-limited, but I don't think the real password is. I haven't changed mine in over four years. :) The problems with forcing regular password expiry[^]


                                    "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer

                                    "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined" - Homer

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • D DaintyB

                                      Has anyone realised that Code Project is storing passwords in plain text? I just went to reset my password and had it emailed to me :wtf: I had expected better than this, especially from a site that includes so many security-based articles in their newsletter. Let's hope this gets fixed soon...

                                      D Offline
                                      D Offline
                                      DerekT P
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      If you were resetting your password, presumably you'd forgotten your password. If you'd forgotten it, how do you know they emailed it to you? Maybe it was a different password? Your assertion does not make logical sense.. ;-) And, even if they did email you your actual password, how do you know it had been stored in "plain text"? It may have been encrypted, and decrypted only for the purpose of sending it to you. You have no way of deducing, simply from the emailed password, whether it was held in plain text or encrypted. (True, even encrypted isn't great; as others on this thread pointed out, hashed + salted is more secure).

                                      D 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • D DerekT P

                                        If you were resetting your password, presumably you'd forgotten your password. If you'd forgotten it, how do you know they emailed it to you? Maybe it was a different password? Your assertion does not make logical sense.. ;-) And, even if they did email you your actual password, how do you know it had been stored in "plain text"? It may have been encrypted, and decrypted only for the purpose of sending it to you. You have no way of deducing, simply from the emailed password, whether it was held in plain text or encrypted. (True, even encrypted isn't great; as others on this thread pointed out, hashed + salted is more secure).

                                        D Offline
                                        D Offline
                                        den2k88
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        DerekTP123 wrote:

                                        It may have been encrypted, and decrypted only for the purpose of sending it to you.

                                        Same thing as plain text with a false assurance of security. "Thou passwords shall not travel on thy network, nor be retrievable should the server be compromised" the Commandment says.

                                        GCS d--(d+) s-/++ a C++++ U+++ P- L+@ E-- W++ N+ o+ K- w+++ O? M-- V? PS+ PE- Y+ PGP t+ 5? X R+++ tv-- b+(+++) DI+++ D++ G e++ h--- r+++ y+++*      Weapons extension: ma- k++ F+2 X

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        Reply
                                        • Reply as topic
                                        Log in to reply
                                        • Oldest to Newest
                                        • Newest to Oldest
                                        • Most Votes


                                        • Login

                                        • Don't have an account? Register

                                        • Login or register to search.
                                        • First post
                                          Last post
                                        0
                                        • Categories
                                        • Recent
                                        • Tags
                                        • Popular
                                        • World
                                        • Users
                                        • Groups