I can't type that! P@$$w0rd entry on mobile devices

Abstract

Given the numerous constraints of onscreen keyboards, such as smaller keys and lack of tactile feedback, remembering and typing long, complex passwords - an already burdensome task on desktop computing systems -becomes nearly unbearable on small mobile touchscreens. Complex passwords require numerous screen depth changes and are problematic both motorically and cognitively. Here we present baseline data on device- and age-dependent differences in human performance with complex passwords, providing a valuable starting dataset to warn that simply porting password requirements from one platform to another (i.e., desktop to mobile) without considering device constraints may be unwise. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.