Apple stashes passwords in chargers

Apple has filed a patent on a power adapter that helps users to get back forgotten passwords.

The system works by storing login information in a memory chip in the power supply and a key on the computer or server to unlock the secret. The documentation describes one scenario in which a computer user's login password is encrypted using a unique ID number as the key. The encrypted password is stored as a secret in the connected power adapter's memory chip and the ID number is stored in the computer. If the user forgets his or her password then they can plug in the adapter so the computer can read off the encrypted secret, decrypt it using the ID number. The approach is positioned as an alternative to traditional password recovery techniques, which encourage users to pick weak passwords because remembering or resetting them can be painstakingly. With Apple's system, passwords can be as complex as allowed because recovering them is a case of plugging in a power adapter. Adapter password recovery approach might be combined with technology at Apple's server to make using a device more difficult for a thief, even if he steals both a device and its power adapter. Original news was published at The Register web site.