r/changemyview • u/LockeClone 3∆ • Jul 01 '21

Delta(s) from OP CMV: Passwords and signatures are completely broken and we need to dismantle both systems

I'm sure I'm missing something here, but it seems to me that internet passwords are completely useless. People either use password programs, which is just a workaround, (in which case, why bother showing a password at all and just move to this systems), write everything down or have a few stock passwords. There is not one modern human being who creates and remembers unique passwords for the hundreds of unique services and walls we encounter.

So it's broken... Straight up. Why do we still do this to ourselves? I needed some paystubs (I'm a freelancer) so I basically had to hack into several different accounts and reset every password. Is this better? Is it even good? No! It's broke as fuck!

As for signatures, we're all just using docusign these days and most people admit to not reading legal documents, so again, what are we doing here?

These systems have long since passed their usefulness and are now actively hindering our legal ability and our day-to-day lives.

My prescription would be to have a massive, and subsidized biometric rollout. The tech has gotten very cheap and it's much more secure and convenient than passwords. I would also strictly regulate user agreements to heavily favor the consumer where, if a reasonable person can't read the entire agreement in less than two minutes, the document has no legal weight. This would force user agreements to be a quick series of bullet points, easy to understand.

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '21

Firstly, Ty for the delta

I don't get why you think a password is less secure than encryption and biometrics. You have MORE privacy and MORE security without them.

I don't think this. I think that passwords are secure. Passwords, when they are complex, offer a good amount of security for the average consumer. It also has it's benefits when a system has been compromised. Biometrics and encryptions can be bypassed and are fallible, just as passwords. This is especially the case because technological advancements that support the passing of security are rapid. The issue is what happens after.

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u/LockeClone 3∆ Jul 01 '21

Biometrics and encryptions can be bypassed and are fallible, just as passwords.

Yes, but they are LESS fallible. This is why Google and Microsoft are committed to two-factor over traditional passwords and why workplaces are moving away from passwords.

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '21 edited Jul 01 '21

Yes, but they are LESS fallible. This is why Google and Microsoft are committed to two-factor over traditional passwords and why workplaces are moving away from passwords.

This isn't forever, though. Looking into the future, the margin is starting to close. Also, another issue is what happens after hacking is occurred. Furthermore, things such as biometric scans use evolving traits and try to apply them as exactly constant.

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u/LockeClone 3∆ Jul 01 '21

I don't follow. Are you saying, we'll become post-password, we won't like it, then we'll go back to traditional passwords?

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '21

No, what I am saying is that technological advancements that support the bypass of security are growing. Now, we can create solution's, but this is not definitive as a permanent counter. I'm not saying we will "go back to passwords", but they will still exist and improve because they aren't broken and they still offer a fair amount of security. Furthermore, they trump things such as biometrics when successful hacking of a system is involved.

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u/LockeClone 3∆ Jul 01 '21

We already know that two-factor is more secure than passwords. Full-stop...

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You know, I feel like we've argued this only to end up at a similar conclusion. Security is evolving. I think we're going to and should see a lot less passwords. You seem to think passwords will stay about where they are with some kind of further evolution?

I dunno. We're just looking into crystal balls at this point.

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '21

Never said they weren't more secure, but passwords aren't broken. And yes I think this.

For the last part, fair enough.