Message-ID: <4C5B1D25.2060906@emolecules.com>
Date: Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:20:53 -0700
From: Craig James <craig_james@emolecules.com>
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To: pgsql-admin@postgresql.org
Subject: Re: password administration
References: <20100805200454.17A64632749@mail.postgresql.org>
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On 8/5/10 12:58 PM, Mark Steben wrote:
> I would like to set up a facility that enforces password changes for roles
> After a predefined period (30 days for instance) when logging into psql
> Or, at the very least, send an email out to notify that your current
> Password period is about to expire.  Preferably, I'd like to use
> The 'rolvaliduntil' column in pg_roles.
>
> I'm wondering if there is an app inside or outside of postgres
> that I can use or do I have to design from scratch.

This is an off-topic response, but security experts have said that this is a REALLY bad idea.  It forces people to choose a new password, which means they can't remember it.  So what do they do?  They write it down.  Anyone snooping around their office can find it.

Besides, when a password is stolen, it's usually used within minutes.  Making everyone change every month does no good at all.

A better solution is to implement a password-strength algorithm and require people to select decent passwords to begin with.

Craig