Panic Passwords: Authenticating under Duress

Panic passwords allow a user to signal duress during authentication. We show that the well-known model of giving a user two passwords, a `regular' and a `panic' password, is susceptible to iteration and forced-randomization attacks, and is secure only within a very narrow threat model. We expand this threat model significantly, making explicit assumptions and tracking four parameters. We also introduce several new panic password systems to address new categories of scenarios.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2008
• Where: USS
• Authors: Jeremy Clark, Urs Hengartner
• Keywords: Narrow Threat Model, Operating System, Panic Password, Threat Model, USS 2008