Kingdom Saudi Arabia

Ministry of education
Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz University
College of Computer and Cyber Sciences

Password Strength Analyzer with Recommendations

FC313- Cyber Security

Fall 2024 - 2025

Done by:

Rama Abdulsalam Alzarouk- 4111961

Ethar Alhazmi- 3920015

Revan bardisi- 4211314

Shoq Ahmed Abuhashim -4312857

Supervised by:

Dr. Alaa Alharbi

 Abstract

The most popular authentication technique is still passwords, which are the
first line of protection against unwanted access to private information in both personal
and professional settings. Despite their significance, weak and obvious passwords
continue to be widely used, which contributes to the startlingly high incidence of data
leaks and cyberattacks. For example, well-known events like the 2024 AT&T data
breach, which revealed the private information of millions of customers, draw
attention to the weaknesses brought on by bad password usage. By examining
vulnerability trends and assessing current password strength evaluation methods, this
study explores the problems caused by weak passwords. Although a number of
programs, such Bitwarden's Password Strength Test and NordPass Password Strength
Checker, provide ways to gauge the strength of passwords, they sometimes fall short
in their capacity to provide consumers thorough, useful advice. By conducting a
theoretical analysis of password flaws and the efficacy of modern password
evaluation methods, this paper seeks to close these gaps. It offers a framework for
improved password security by fusing theoretical understanding with useful
recommendations to provide users the skills and resources they need to make
stronger, more secure passwords. By raising awareness and promoting the adoption of
best practices, the research advances the subject of cybersecurity by highlighting the
value of user education in addition to technological solutions. This study provides
insightful information to enhance authentication systems and lower the incidence of
security events using passwords by identifying important flaws and suggesting
solutions.

Keywords: Password security, password strength analysis, authentication,

data breaches, cybersecurity, password vulnerabilities, user education, password
evaluation tools, best practices.

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 Table of Content

Tittle Page no.

I. Introduction…………………………………...……… 1
II. Scope…………………………………………...………. 1
III. Literature Review………………………………..……
IV. Research Methodology……………………….……….
V. Recommendations………………………...…………..
VI. Results and Discussion………………………………..
VII. Challenges and Limitations…………………………...
VIII. Future Work…………………………………………..
IX. Conclusion………………………….…………………
X. References…………………………………………….

I. Introduction

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 [II.] Introduction
Passwords are fundamental to modern cybersecurity, serving as the most
common form of authentication across personal, professional, and organizational
domains. However, the widespread reliance on passwords is frequently
undermined by user behavior, such as creating weak, easily guessable, or
repetitive passwords, which leaves systems vulnerable to exploitation.
Cybercriminals often exploit such vulnerabilities through methods like brute force
attacks, dictionary attacks, and credential stuffing, making passwords a critical
point of failure in cybersecurity infrastructure [4]. For example, the AT&T data
breach of 2024, which exposed the personal data of millions, underscores the
devastating consequences of poor password practices [1]. This incident highlights
the pressing need for stronger password security measures and better tools for
evaluating and improving password strength. Numerous password strength
evaluation tools have been developed to address these issues. Popular tools like
NordPass Password Strength Checker and Bitwarden's Password Strength Test
analyze passwords based on factors such as length, complexity, and entropy [2],
[3]. These tools help users gauge the robustness of their passwords, but they often
fall short in providing tailored feedback and practical guidance to improve weak
passwords. Additionally, the evolving landscape of cyber threats, including the
use of artificial intelligence to crack passwords, poses new challenges to existing
methodologies, demanding continuous innovation in password evaluation and
enhancement techniques [5]. This research seeks to explore these challenges by
conducting a comprehensive analysis of password vulnerabilities, evaluating the
effectiveness of current password strength tools, and proposing a robust
framework for improvement. The study aims to identify patterns that make
passwords susceptible to attacks and to develop strategies for educating users
about creating stronger, more resilient passwords. By addressing both technical
and behavioral aspects of password security, this research contributes to the
development of secure authentication practices, ultimately reducing the risk of
data breaches and enhancing cybersecurity resilience on a global scale.
II.[III.] Scope of the Research
The scope of this research outlines the focus, objectives, and boundaries
within which the study is conducted. It includes the problem statement, objectives,
and targeted areas of investigation to address the critical challenges of password
security.
A. Problem Statement
Passwords remain the most widely adopted authentication mechanism,
but their security is frequently compromised by weak and predictable
practices. Studies reveal that a significant percentage of passwords are easily
guessable, such as "123456" or "password," making them vulnerable to
common attacks like brute force, dictionary attacks, and credential stuffing.
High-profile incidents, such as the 2024 AT&T breach, demonstrate the
devastating consequences of poor password practices on user data and
enterprise security [1]. Current password strength evaluation tools provide
basic assessments by scoring passwords based on entropy, length, and
diversity of characters [2], [3]. However, these tools lack comprehensive
features, such as providing tailored recommendations or analyzing passwords
against evolving cyber threats [4]. This gap leaves users with inadequate

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 guidance on how to strengthen their passwords and organizations without
robust methods for enforcing secure password policies. The increasing
sophistication of password-cracking techniques, including artificial
intelligence and machine learning, exacerbates these vulnerabilities [5], [6].
This research addresses these gaps by analyzing existing tools, identifying
weaknesses in password practices, and proposing actionable
recommendations for improvement.
B. Objective
The primary objective of this research is to explore and address the
vulnerabilities inherent in current password security practices. The study aims
to:
1. Analyze Password Weaknesses:
o Investigate user behaviors that lead to the creation and reuse of
weak passwords.
o Identify patterns in commonly used weak passwords and the
factors contributing to their vulnerability.
2. Evaluate Existing Tools:
o Assess the effectiveness, strengths, and limitations of current
password strength analysis tools, such as NordPass and Bitwarden.
[2], [3].
o Examine the algorithms used for password strength evaluation,
focusing on their ability to measure entropy and identify
weaknesses [4].
3. Develop Recommendations:
o Propose actionable guidelines for users to create stronger, more
secure passwords [7].
o Provide a framework for enterprises to implement robust password
policies and promote user education [9].
4. Explore Future Enhancements:
o Highlight the role of advanced technologies, such as artificial
intelligence, in cracking passwords [5].
o Suggest improvements to existing tools to address emerging threats
and user needs [6], [10].
C. Scope
This research is theoretical and encompasses the following areas:
1. Password Analysis:
o Studying patterns in weak passwords and understanding the common
characteristics that make them vulnerable to attacks [6].
o Focusing on the behaviors and habits of users that undermine password
security.
2. Tool Evaluation:
o Reviewing existing password evaluation tools to identify their
effectiveness in assessing strength and providing feedback [3].
o Highlighting the gaps and limitations of these tools, particularly in
addressing real-world threats [4].
3. Recommendations and Best Practices:

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 o Formulating practical and actionable advice for individuals and
organizations to improve password security [9].
o Proposing a framework for password evaluation that incorporates
educational elements and tailored feedback.
4. Future Considerations:
o Discussing the evolving landscape of password security, including AI-
driven threats and alternative authentication methods [5], [6].
o Providing insights into potential future developments, such as
integrating password analysis tools with multi-factor authentication
systems.

[III.] Literature Review

Research Methodology
Building the Password Strength Analyzer with Recommendations was a
thoughtful process that combined research, technical development, and testing.
Here’s how we approached it:
1. Research and Gathering Information
We started by diving deep into the world of passwords—how they’re created,
why they fail, and how attackers exploit them. This meant studying patterns in
weak passwords, like “123456” or “password,” and reviewing data from real-
world breaches. We also looked at existing password strength tools like
NordPass and Bitwarden to see what they do well and where they fall short. This
gave us a strong foundation to build something even better.

2. Designing and Building the Tool

 Behind the Scenes: The core of the tool was developed in Python, where
we used smart libraries like zxcvbn to analyze passwords. We focused on
measuring factors like length, complexity, and patterns, ensuring the
analysis was accurate and meaningful.
 A Simple and Clear Interface: We designed a web interface using
JavaScript, keeping it simple and easy to use. The goal was to give users
real-time feedback that made sense to everyone, whether they’re tech-
savvy or not.
3. Testing and Improving
Once the tool was ready, we put it through its paces. We tested it with all kinds
of passwords—weak, strong, and everything in between. Then, we compared the
results with other popular tools to make sure ours held up. We also shared it
with some peers, gathered their feedback, and used their suggestions to make the
tool even better.
This step-by-step approach helped us create a tool that not only evaluates
password strength but also empowers users to improve their security with
actionable recommendations.

III. Recommendations
IV. Results and Discussion
V. Literature Review
VI. Conclusion

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Challenges and Limitations
Creating the Password Strength Analyzer with Recommendations was both
rewarding and challenging. Here are some of the main hurdles we faced and the
limitations we encountered:
1. Technical Challenges:
o Combining Data: We had to pull together datasets of weak
passwords and attack patterns, which wasn’t as straightforward as
expected. Cleaning and organizing this data to work seamlessly
took a lot of effort.
o Choosing the Right Tools: Deciding which algorithms to use for
evaluating password strength was tricky. We had to find a balance
between accuracy and speed, especially when dealing with longer
or more complex passwords.
o Securing the Process: Since we were analyzing passwords,
ensuring that none of the data could be accidentally exposed or
misused was a top priority.

2. User Experience Challenges:

o Simplifying Feedback: Explaining technical password metrics in a
way that anyone could understand was harder than anticipated.
We wanted users to feel informed without being overwhelmed.
o Meeting Different Needs: Users—whether individuals or
businesses—have varying expectations. Tailoring the tool to suit
everyone’s requirements required extra care.

3. Teamwork Challenges:
o Staying Synced: Working as a team meant juggling schedules and
keeping everyone on the same page. A few delays happened, but
we overcame them by improving communication.
o Time Pressure: The project deadline didn’t leave much room for
testing or fine-tuning, which meant we had to focus on the
essentials and save some ideas for the future.

4. Limitations:
o Evolving Threats: Cyberattacks are constantly evolving, and while
the tool does a great job now, it might need updates to stay ahead
of new techniques.
o Data Dependence: Our tool relies heavily on existing datasets. If
these datasets aren’t comprehensive, the analysis might miss some
vulnerabilities.
o Scaling Up: Right now, the tool is perfect for personal use or small
teams, but it would need significant upgrades to handle the needs
of large organizations.
Despite these challenges, this project has been an incredible learning experience
and a solid step toward better password security.

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Future Work
Looking ahead, there’s so much more we can do to make this tool even better.
Here’s what we envision for its future:
1. Smarter Algorithms:
o Imagine a tool that learns over time! By integrating AI and
machine learning, we could predict weak passwords and offer even
smarter suggestions.
o Personalized recommendations could help users create passwords
that are not only strong but also easy for them to remember.

2. Friendlier Design:
o A more interactive and visually engaging web interface could
make the tool fun to use.
o We’d also love to add support for different languages to reach a
broader audience.

3. Scaling Up:
o With some tweaks, the tool could handle large-scale password
checks for companies.
o Integration with corporate security systems, like cloud platforms
or directory services, would make it a great fit for businesses.

4. User Education:
o Beyond analyzing passwords, the tool could educate users with
short, interactive lessons about safe password practices.
o We’d include visual data to show users how weak passwords can
lead to security breaches.

5. Future-Proofing:
o By keeping the tool updated with the latest password
vulnerabilities and attack trends, it would always stay one step
ahead.
o Partnering with cybersecurity organizations could ensure the tool
remains reliable and cutting-edge.

6. More Security Layers:

o Integrating the tool with multi-factor authentication systems
would enhance security.
o It could also adapt to work alongside biometric or token-based
security systems.
We’re excited about what’s next for this tool. The journey doesn’t end here—it’s
just the beginning of creating a safer digital world.

VII. Conclusion

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 References

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