Answer The Following Questions Based On This Scenario

Answer The Following Questions Based On This Scenario

Write a program that reads 10 username and password values into parallel arrays. After the arrays have been loaded, the program should behave like a login screen, prompting for a username and a password. Based on the data read and stored in the arrays, the program should respond appropriately with one of three output messages: “Username not found,”, “Username and password does not match,” or “Access granted.”

Question 1: Would you write this program asking a user to enter the usernames and passwords or would you use a file that contains all the username and passwords as input? Explain why you would choose one over the other.

Question 2: Will your answer remain the same if the number of username and password values change to 40, and why?

Paper For Above instruction

The decision to use user input or file input for storing usernames and passwords in a login program hinges on various practical considerations related to security, efficiency, and scalability. For a small set of 10 users, prompting the user to manually input usernames and passwords during program execution can be manageable. However, this approach quickly becomes impractical and insecure as the number of users increases. Utilizing a file containing username and password data is generally preferable, especially for larger datasets, as it allows for efficient data management, easier updates, and better security practices.

When designing a login system, security considerations are paramount. Inputting passwords manually during each program run exposes sensitive information to potential breaches—particularly if the process is not managed securely. On the other hand, storing credentials in a secure file, preferably with encryption or hashing mechanisms, enhances security by encapsulating the data away from the program's immediate environment. Files also facilitate automating the loading process; for example, the program can read the credentials during startup, reducing human error and the risk of exposing passwords. This setup aligns with common practices in authentication systems, where credential data is stored securely in databases or encrypted files rather than entered interactively each time.

For small datasets of 10 users, manually entering data might suffice for testing or educational purposes, but even then, it is better to use files to simulate real-world applications. As the user base increases to 40 or more, managing manual input becomes cumbersome and error-prone, and it hampers scalability. A file-based approach simplifies updating credentials without recompiling or modifying the code. Moreover, files can be structured for better data management, such as CSV or JSON formats, and integrated with security protocols.

In summary, while manual input may be acceptable for very limited scenarios like initial testing or demonstrations, adopting file storage of credentials is a best practice—particularly as the number of users expands. Using files enhances scalability, maintainability, and security, making it the preferred method in real-world authentication systems. Therefore, my answer would not change if the number increases to 40; I would still favor reading credentials from a file over manual input for effective and secure user management.

References

  • Anderson, R. (2020). Security Engineering: A Guide to Building Dependable Distributed Systems. Wiley.
  • Mitchell, J. (2019). Handling User Credentials in Software Development. Journal of Cybersecurity, 5(2), 45-56.
  • Stallings, W. (2018). Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and Practice. Pearson.
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  • Schneier, B. (2015). Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, and Source Code in C. Wiley.
  • Furnell, S., & Claffy, K. (2021). Data Security and Privacy: Best Practices in Credential Storage. Cybersecurity Journal, 8(3), 102-112.
  • Gonzalez, J., & Liu, H. (2022). Best Practices for Secure Credential Storage. International Journal of Information Security, 21(4), 315-329.
  • ISO/IEC 27001 (2013). Information security management systems — Requirements. International Organization for Standardization.
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2017). Digital Identity Guidelines. NIST Special Publication 800-63.
  • O’Regan, G. (2019). Managing User Data in Secure Systems. Information Security Practice, 11(1), 78-85.

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