Handling Passwords with Security and Realiability in Background Processes

Published

June 1, 1994

Author(s)

Don E. Libes

Abstract

Traditionally, background automation of interactive processes meant giving up security and reliability. With the advent of software such as Expect for controlling interactive processes, it has become possible to improve reliability and security with relative ease. This paper reviews the reliability aspects but focuses primarily on the security aspects, presenting several non-obvious techniques for dealing with passwords and other sensitive information in background processes. These techniques require no changes to existing programs and no new security systems are necessary. With the appropriate tools and examples, these techniques can be applied with surprisingly little effort to a variety of problems.

Proceedings Title

Proceedings of LISA VIII Systems Administration Conference

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

interactive processes, programs, security, sensitive information, software

Citation

Libes, D. (1994), Handling Passwords with Security and Realiability in Background Processes, Proceedings of LISA VIII Systems Administration Conference, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=821291 (Accessed May 9, 2026)

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