Answer:
The problem with the approach of using eight-character passwords generated from a character set consisting of lowercase letters and digits, even if there were 215 possible starting values for a pseudorandom number generator, is that it doesn't adequately address the issue of password security. While it may seem secure on the surface, there are several significant flaws:
Limited Character Set: The character set consisting of only lowercase letters (26 characters) and digits (10 characters) results in a total of 36 possible characters for each position in the password. This limitation significantly reduces the complexity of the password compared to including uppercase letters, special characters, and spaces. More characters in the character set increase the entropy and make passwords more secure.
Short Password Length: An eight-character password, even with a larger character set, is relatively short. Short passwords are more susceptible to brute-force attacks, where an attacker systematically tries all possible combinations until they find the correct one. With only eight characters, it's feasible for attackers to exhaustively search through all possibilities in a reasonable amount of time, especially with modern computing power.
Pseudorandom Number Generator (PRNG) Vulnerabilities: Depending on the quality of the PRNG used, there may be patterns or predictability in the generated passwords. If an attacker can somehow predict or crack the PRNG's seed value or algorithm, they can significantly reduce the time needed to guess the password.
Advancements in Computing Power: Over time, computing power has increased exponentially. What might have taken 112 years to search through all character strings of length 8 from a 36-character alphabet in the past would take significantly less time with today's powerful hardware. This makes shorter, simpler passwords even less secure as time goes on.
Lack of Complexity Rules: The system described doesn't seem to enforce any complexity rules for passwords. Users might still choose easily guessable or common words or phrases, defeating the purpose of a random password.
To improve password security, it's essential to consider not only the length but also the complexity of passwords. Using a larger character set, requiring a minimum length, and enforcing rules like a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, digits, and special characters can make passwords significantly more secure. Additionally, regular password rotation and educating users about password best practices are important measures to enhance security.
Step-by-step explanation: