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Okay, running Ubuntu 10.04 or Backtrack 5, and I want to create a very complex password with as many bits as possible. But, I doubt I would remember it entirely, and I don't want to look at a notebook to see it everytime I log-on.
So, is it possible to create a complex log-in password, save it on a file (don't know what extension; perhaps a .txt?) on a USB flash drive, and then create a script (?) that will execute transfer or input of the password to the log-in password box whenever the USB flash drive is inserted into the USB port.
Possible, or not?
P.S. And, if possible, would it be possible to encrypt the password so that if someone stole the flash drive, they wouldn't be able to decipher it without hacking it (thus, they'd have to be quite saavy).
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Remember that a password does not protect your computer from unauthorized access, anyone could insert a Live CD and remove this password and copy files. The best solution is a full disk-encrypted system using LUKS
– Lekensteyn – 2011-06-05T04:26:02.9501Doesn't having the password recorded somewhere completely defeat the purpose of having a complex password? And if it's encrypted on the flash drive, then you need an encryption password... which gets you right back to where you started. – nhinkle – 2011-06-05T04:28:22.223
@nhinkle, this should be used as a second-factor. Which means, you have a password and additionally the key. – nik – 2011-06-05T05:27:34.950
@nik I know there are systems to use a USB device for a two-factor authentication system, but that's not what he seems to be asking for. The question says he wants to make a really tough password, and then write it down on his USB drive, and then read it off the USB drive into the password box. Thus completely defeating the point of the entire process. – nhinkle – 2011-06-05T07:46:39.730
@nhinkle, hmmm, in that case we should suggest that he does two-factor rather than plain USB-attach-to-login techniques. – nik – 2011-06-05T09:49:18.757