Communications of the ACM
Apple Patents Power Charger Password Recovery
Apple vice-president of software technology Guy Tribble
Credit: AP
Apple recently received a new patent that proposes embedding password recovery secrets, or the encrypted passwords themselves, in a microchip that is placed inside a power adapter and then paired with a specific device. Apple also says the passwords could be stored on any "peripheral or companion device," such as a wireless router, backup drive, external monitor, or flash drive.
Apple's Guy Tribble says the benefits of this password-backup system include users having an easy way to log into devices if they forget a password, and that users would be more likely to use unique passwords if they knew those passwords could be easily recovered if they are forgotten.
"Although it can be difficult to provide both convenient password recovery and security in all use scenarios, one increasingly important scenario involves protecting a portable computing device when a user carries the device separately from a commonly associated peripheral device," Apple says in its patent filing.
Apple also suggests that if both the device and its power adapter are stolen, then a server could be used as a third layer of security.
From InformationWeek
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