Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!motcsd!hpda!hpcuhb!hp-ses!hpcea!hpnmdla!hpsad!walter
From: walter@hpsad.HP.COM (Walter Coole)
Newsgroups: comp.sources.wanted
Subject: Re: fast "crypt" routine
Message-ID: <720009@hpsad.HP.COM>
Date: 16 May 89 17:15:00 GMT
References: <39439@bbn.COM>
Organization: HP Signal Analysis Div - Rohnert Park, CA
Lines: 7

crypt's algorithm was designed to be slow.  If there existed a fast crypt, it
would be dangerous, as it would allow rapid trial of obvious passwords.  It 
seems that what you're trying to do is to guess other people's passwords, which
is what crypt and salt are trying to prevent.  Another approach is to examine
passwords for obviousness at assign time.  I have a program called obvious that
examines trial passwords for common trigrams.  It detects most words and common
names.  mail me at walter@hpsadlc.HP.COM for a copy.