File	Date	Author	Commit
.gitignore	2023-09-09	uli	[37ef44] Added version 2.0j (added 'export' to LC_COLLAT...
make-lc-passwd	2023-09-16	uli	[0385b3] V 2.0k: Takes care of stderr redirection for he...
make-lc-passwd.pubkey.asc	2023-09-09	uli	[fa5512] Added proper file name for pubkey. Added correc...
readme.txt	2023-09-09	uli	[fa5512] Added proper file name for pubkey. Added correc...

Read Me

make-lc-password: A Linux shell (bash) script that suggests random, verifiably strong, easy-to-memorize passwords.

Password example:
    * cleave-cricks-suntan-loafed
    * Entropy is approx. 50 sh (bits) - depends on script presets and your system settings

Key points:
    * Suggests multi-word passwords, so-called low-complexity passwords.
    * Low-complexity passwords consist only of words in lowercase characters. (Lowercase characters can be typed on virtually any keyboard.)
    * A low-complexity password is easy to memorize, in contrast to passwords that demand uppercase chars, digits, and special characters.
    * Low-complexity passwords can be mathematically shown to be strong, even in the face of very skeptic assumptions.
    *The passwords consist of 4 words (default) of fixed length 6 (default). The word separator is '-' (default). The defaults can be overridden.
    * The source of the words is the Linux system dictionary (about 100,000 words).
    * The tool can give the entropy of the password scheme (calculated in a conservative way).
    *It can also give the entropy of the dictionary the password scheme is based on (calculated in a conservative way).
    *Its defaults can be shown via an option and can be modified with command line options and parameters.
    *Advanced features:
        - Can write a custom dictionary based on the system dictionary or another dictionary.
        - Filtering the system dictionary can be performed with advanced regular expressions.
          (You can then examine and edit the custom dictionary for later use.)
        - Use your custom dictionary for password suggestions.
        - Check each created password suggestion against a system or custom crack dictionary.
          (The password is considered cracked if it matches any whole line in the crack dictionary.)
        - You can set a minimum intermediate (or custom) dictionary size; and let the tool warn you
          if the dictionary size falls below that value.
        - Supports a documented list of exit codes for integration in a tool chain.
    * Miscellaneous:
        - Supports short (e.g., -h) and long (e.g., --help) options.
        - Shows a list of example calls (use the -p or --examples options).
    * The tool is open source software (license: GPL 3 or later, https://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html).
    *Has been developed and tested on Ubuntu 22.04.


Preparation:
    Unpack the ZIP archive (optional): unzip make-lc-passwd.zip
    Check the script's authenticity: gpg --verify --keyring ./make-lc-passwd.pubkey.asc make-lc-passwd.sig.asc make-lc-passwd
    (Expected output: Good signature from "Ulrich Messerle (Code Signing) <passwd-gen@pinkneutrino.com>")
    Make the file executable: chmod ug+x make-lc-passwd


Usage examples:
  ./make-lc-passwd  # Suggest one password to the console
  purges-cities-leafed-nowise

  ./make-lc-passwd --numpasswords 3 --linenumbers  # Suggest 3 passwords to the consoleans number the lines
    1: occurs-shoots-airier-offing
    2: ironic-filets-forgot-fuller
    3: solids-tenpin-chilly-reflex

  ./make-lc-passwd --output lc-passwd-suggestion.txt  # Write one password to a file
  cat lc-passwd-suggestion.txt                        # Show contents of the file
  fizzed-awaked-cotton-goblet

  ./make-lc-passwd --entropy  # Suggest one password to the console and give actual entropy information
  Password suggestion:
    dreary-orchid-police-hamlet
  Entropy information:
    System dictionary   : 104334 words
    Custom dict. size   : 7352 words (7.04%)
    Custom dict. entropy: 12.89 sh ('bits')
    Password entropy    : 50.56 sh ('bits')

  ./make-lc-passwd --help  # Get help
  Usage: make-lc-passwd [OPTION [PARAMETER]]
  ...