The Light Side of Passwords : Turning Motivation from the Extrinsic to the Intrinsic

Abstract

There are many good and bad aspects to password authentication. They are mostly without cost, securing many accounts and systems, and allowing users access from anywhere in the world. However, passwords can elicit dark side phenomena, including security technostress; with many users feeling negatively towards them, as they struggle to cope with the sheer numbers required in their everyday lives. Much research has attempted to understand users’ interactions with passwords, examining the trade-off between security, memorability, user convenience, and suggesting techniques to manage them better. However, users continue to struggle. Many studies have shown that users are more concerned with goals other than security, such as convenience and memorability. Therefore, we need to offer another reason that will entice users to engage with the password process more securely. In this study, we suggest that engaging with the password process (creating, learning and recalling passwords) well, is similar to memory training. Therefore, we propose that the “light side” of passwords – the positive reason for properly creating and learning strong passwords, and recalling them successfully, will improve users’ memories for passwords and memory functioning in general. Consequently, changing their motivation from an extrinsic goal to an intrinsic goal – improved memory functioning.