Let’s start a movement: display password rules before accepting any input.

Let’s start a movement: display password rules before accepting any input.

Let’s Start a Movement: Display Password Rules Before Accepting Any Input

Hello fellow engineers! It’s time for us to rise up against the tyranny of UX dominance.

When displaying a “New Password Field,” we must insist that all the password rules are clearly visible before the user types a single character. Not after they type the first character, not after they leave the field, and certainly not after submitting the new user form. We owe it to our users to provide the required information to successfully complete their forms.

A Call to Action

This is not just a design preference; it’s a movement for better user experience and functionality. Beautiful UIs should never come at the expense of useful UIs. If we collectively push for clear and visible password requirements during the input phase, we can make a significant difference.

Consider this: surprise password requirements today could lead to silently truncating a pasted password tomorrow, causing unnecessary frustration.

Top Comments from the Community

The discussion around this topic has been vibrant, with many engineers sharing their thoughts. Here are some highlights:

  1. User-Centric Design: One engineer expressed frustration about the login process, emphasizing that web design often prioritizes new account creation over user login, which should be more prominent given user habits.

  2. Simplified Rules: Some believe that password requirements should be minimal, advocating for only a minimum character length and nothing more.

  3. Dynamic Feedback: One suggestion was to provide password rules in a tooltip that appears upon field focus, offering a balance between visibility and screen clutter.

  4. NIST Guidelines: There’s a strong push for aligning password rules with current NIST guidelines, which recommend that we avoid arbitrary complexity requirements and focus instead on maximum length and the use of secure password managers.

  5. Consistency and Predictability: Many users pointed out the inconsistency of how sites handle password rules, particularly when it comes to supporting auto-generated passwords or those stored in password managers.

  6. Login vs Sign-Up: A recurring frustration is the disproportionate emphasis on sign-up processes compared to logging in, which often makes the latter cumbersome.

  7. Security Through Simplicity: Some believe that rather than focusing on complex password rules, we should implement better security measures such as account lockouts after multiple failed attempts or not allowing the same password to be used across multiple accounts.

The UX Dilemma

The crux of the issue lies in the balance between user experience and security. While some designers prioritize aesthetics, it’s crucial to recognize that usability should take precedence. As developers, we need to advocate for user-centered designs that prioritize functionality.

Real-Time Feedback

Imagine a system that provides real-time feedback as users type in their passwords. Implementing a regex validation that updates the UI dynamically could enhance the experience considerably. As users meet certain criteria, they could receive instant positive reinforcement, making the process smoother and more intuitive.

The Role of SSO

With the increasing adoption of Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions, the need for complex password rules is diminishing. Users are gravitating towards passwordless experiences, and it’s time for us to adapt our systems accordingly. If users can authenticate securely without burdensome passwords, why not embrace that trend?

Conclusion

This is a rallying cry for engineers everywhere to take a stand for clear and concise password requirements. It’s not just about improving individual user experiences; it’s about raising the bar for the entire industry.

Let’s work together to create systems that empower users, reduce cognitive load, and foster a more secure online environment. Join the movement, and let’s advocate for a world where password rules are front and center, not hidden in the shadows of a poorly designed interface.

In the immortal words of our community: We can make a difference if we all band together!

This blog post captures the essence of the discussion while incorporating insights from the community. It emphasizes the importance of user experience in the context of password management, calling for collective action among engineers to advocate for better practices.

"Join our 1-on-1 coaching sessions to champion user-friendly design in your projects today!“

Schedule Now

Related Posts