Question

Many people use the same password across many websites. Give an example of a design principle for secure systems that is violated by the use of the same password across different websites. Provide a brief explanation.

Answer 1

Using the same password across various websites breaches the security design principle of diversification, which aims to avoid single points of failure and prevent easy access for hackers. This can lead to a greater risk of cybercrimes like identity theft if a single site's security is compromised.

Step-by-step explanation:

Using the same password across different websites violates the security design principle of diversification. This principle suggests that systems should not have a single point of failure or a single common vulnerability. When the same password is used for multiple sites, if one site has a security breach, all accounts using that password could be compromised. This makes it easier for hackers to gain unauthorized access to multiple accounts, leading to a greater risk of identity theft and other forms of cybercrime.

In the context of online security, diversification might involve the use of unique passwords for different sites, the implementation of two-factor authentication, the creation of stronger passwords, and ongoing user education to help prevent users from getting scammed. Recent high-profile security breaches involving companies like Target and Verizon illustrate the dire consequences of inadequate protection against sophisticated cyber-attacks.