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Microsoft Wants To Give You A Rorschach

Preedit writes "Microsoft has set up a website that uses inkblot images to help users create passwords. The site asks users view a series of inkblots and write down the first and last letters of whatever word they associate with each inkblot. Then they combine the letters to form a password. Microsoft claims it's a way to create passwords that are easy to remember but hard to crack. But a word of warning, the story notes that Microsoft is collecting and storing users' word associations."

27 of 223 comments (clear)

  1. Not sure this will help by Qzukk · · Score: 5, Funny

    view a series of inkblots and write down the first and last letters of whatever word they associate with each inkblot. Then they combine the letters to form a password.

    I got vavavapsva.

    More seriously, if they're saving the word associations, doesn't that mean that they have the password you've just generated?

    --
    If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.
    1. Re:Not sure this will help by skeevy · · Score: 3, Funny

      vulva vulva vulva penis vulva?

      I'm not sure whether I should be afraid of your mind or the site...

    2. Re:Not sure this will help by BarryJacobsen · · Score: 5, Funny

      vulva vulva vulva penis vulva? I'm not sure whether I should be afraid of your mind or the site... Really? I'm not sure whether I should be afraid of his mind or immediately go to the site...
    3. Re:Not sure this will help by Chapter80 · · Score: 2, Funny

      view a series of inkblots and write down the first and last letters of whatever word they associate with each inkblot. Then they combine the letters to form a password.

      I got ********.

      Mine is h2h2h2h2.
    4. Re:Not sure this will help by Marc+Desrochers · · Score: 2, Funny
      bbbbbbbbbb

      That all look like butterflies.

    5. Re:Not sure this will help by Clandestine_Blaze · · Score: 3, Funny

      I got vavavapsva. That's amazing! I've got the same combination on my luggage!
    6. Re:Not sure this will help by mithras+invictus · · Score: 3, Funny

      Ballmers new password: dsdsdsdsds

    7. Re:Not sure this will help by DeepHurtn! · · Score: 2, Funny

      A /.er, scared of genitalia...? I guess this proves the saying about people being scared of the unknown!

    8. Re:Not sure this will help by Vulva+R.+Thompson,+P · · Score: 2, Funny

      Feel free to pop in any time you like.

    9. Re:Not sure this will help by floki · · Score: 2, Funny
      --
      from the to-stupid-for-words dept.
    10. Re:Not sure this will help by NoPantsJim · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'd go immediately, 4 to 1 is the best ratio I've ever seen.

  2. I'm shocked!!! by b17bmbr · · Score: 4, Funny

    microsoft is collecting and storing the data. holy crap, batman, what next. the joker has plans to take over gotham city?

    --
    My problem? I was perfectly gruntled, until some numbnuts came by and dissed me.
  3. P**n by EmbeddedJanitor · · Score: 1, Funny

    It all looks like porn to me!

    --
    Engineering is the art of compromise.
    1. Re:P**n by flabbergasted · · Score: 3, Funny

      I usually suggest to people that they come up with a positive self talk phrase, take the first letter of each word, then replace a letter with a number that resembles it.

      Something like "I am a happy person who loves their life." turns into "Iaahpwlt1", which is long, contains numbers and letters and no dictionary words whatsoever.

      I use mnemonic devices also, but perhaps I should rethink my current "Nobody loves me, I wish I were dead" password. Oh, what's the use. It wouldn't matter anyway.

    2. Re:P**n by RealGrouchy · · Score: 3, Funny

      A self-motivational phrase whose initials double as a secure password? That's a great idea!

      Here, let me try one:

      People Always Say Something's Wrong Or Really Depressing.

      Awesome! I'll use it on all my accounts!

      - RG>

      --
      Hey pal, this isn't a pleasantforest, so don't waste my time with pleasantries!
  4. Don't do it... by daninspokane · · Score: 5, Funny

    The blots are coded to shut your brain down if you don't have a valid regkey.

    --
    Slashdot is too nerdy for me.
  5. random? by clarkn0va · · Score: 2, Funny
    Respond with "butterfly" and share your password with half the english-speaking planet.

    db

    --
    I am literally 3000 tokens away from the chaotic crossbow --Stephen
  6. Ballmer's unencrypted file by Eberlin · · Score: 5, Funny

    Anyone wanna bet Ballmer's word list looks a bit like this:
    chair
    developers
    chair
    banana
    ooohshiny
    developers!
    developers!
    developers!

  7. fubar by normuser · · Score: 0, Funny

    I went to the site and tryed it. but none of the images look like enything.
    I just end up with frfrfr...

    --
    09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
    XXX#######
  8. No way.... by Bobfrankly1 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Microsoft Wants To Give You A Rorschach

    If this is anything like a wet willy, I don't want one, and you can't make me.
    *runs away screaming*
  9. Re:Slight problem with this approach by oahazmatt · · Score: 5, Funny

    This method will not create passwords that are strong enough.
    That's why I use the inkblot test, run it through a script that converts random letter combinations to MD5, convert 25% of that end result to l33t, and then randomly add a non-latin character at two locations within that result. I then write it down on my desk calendar.
    --
    Those who believe the Internet is private,
    find their privates are on the Internet.
  10. All I keep seeing... by Cytlid · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...is penguins.

    --
    FLR
  11. Vanillia? Viagra? Volousia? Pens? Va....oh wait by StressGuy · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...you really need a girlfriend

    --
    A goal is a dream with a deadline
  12. I get it by EmbeddedJanitor · · Score: 2, Funny
    WIuVIftWGA2p0:"When I use Vista I feel the Windows Genuine Advantage 2 point 0"

    You're right I feel better already! Wow everything feels faster! Any more exclamaitions and I'd be using Yahoo!!

    --
    Engineering is the art of compromise.
  13. Re:Oblig Watchmen by Lurker2288 · · Score: 2, Funny

    It looks like a pretty butterfly. Or maybe some nice flowers. Or a dog with a cleaved brain, either way.

  14. Obligatory Emo Philips by LoverOfJoy · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Emo, what does this inkblot look like to you?"

    I said, "Oh, it's kind of embarrassing."

    He said, "Emo, everyone sees something, so don't be embarrassed. Tell me what the inkblot looks like to you."

    I said, "Well, to me it looks like standard pattern #3 in the Rorschach series to test obsessive compulsiveness." And he gets kind of depressed.

    I said, "Okay, it's a butterfly." And he cheers up.

    He said, "What does this inkblot look like?"

    I said, "It looks like a horrible ugly blob of pure evil that sucks the souls of man into a vortex of sin and degradation."

    He said, "No, um, the inkblot's over there. That's a photo of my wife you're looking at."

    "Oh," I said, "was I far off?" He said, "No. That's the sad part."

  15. Ob. Schneier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Most people use passwords. Some people use passphrases. Bruce Schneier uses an epic passpoem, detailing the life and works of seven mythical Norse heroes."