Generating 56-bit passwords using Markov Models (and Charles Dickens)

Understand

We describe a password generation scheme based on Markov models built from English text (specifically, Charles Dickens' *A Tale Of Two Cities*).

• We show a (linear-running-time) bijection between random bitstrings of any desired length and generated text, ensuring that all passwords are generated with equal probability.
• We observe that the generated passwords appear to strike a reasonable balance between memorability and security.
• Using the system, we get 56-bit passwords like 'The cusay is wither?" t', rather than passwords like 'tQ$%Xc4Ef'.