IdeaWell

Project ideas from Hacker News discussions.

Ubuntu 26.04 Ends 46 Years of Silent sudo Passwords

Original Article

Hacker News Discussion

📝 Discussion Summary (Click to expand)

1. “Password‑length exposure is essentially harmless”

“Password length are exposed in virtually all scenarios except the Unix Terminal – and have caused 0 issues in practice.” – tsimonescu

2. The real trade‑off is convenience vs. (minimal) risk

“The real question isn’t whether it has any security benefit; it’s more is the convenience greater than the risk it introduces.” – hnlmorg 3. Knowing the length does aid attackers
“Knowing password length makes it easier to crack an insecure password.” – SAI_Peregrinus

4. Tradition and implementation complexity drive the debate

“The first is like 3 lines of code, to get the attrs, disable the echo flag then set the attrs again. The second is.. I don’t know probably about twenty lines of code to handle the primitive line editing yourself and also asterisk printing. In my view, this is enough of a difference to motivate a conclusion that the first is good enough.” – mikkupikku

🚀 Project Ideas

Password Echo Pro

Summary

  • A lightweight terminal utility that provides customizable feedback during password input without revealing the actual password length
  • Solves the UX problem of silent password prompts while maintaining security
  • Core value: Visual confirmation of input without compromising password length information

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Linux/Unix users, system administrators, terminal power users
Core Feature Customizable password feedback (rotating symbols, random character echoes, etc.) that doesn't reveal password length
Tech Stack Rust (for performance and safety), ncurses for terminal manipulation, configurable through JSON or YAML
Difficulty Medium
Monetization Hobby

Notes

  • HN commenters would love it because it directly addresses the "silent password" pain point mentioned by multiple users
  • Provides practical utility by solving the UX issue without compromising security
  • Could become a standard tool in terminal environments like sudo, ssh, and other CLI authentication systems

TerminalPass

Summary

  • A password manager specifically designed for terminal environments with CLI-first interaction
  • Solves the pain of managing complex passwords in terminal-only environments
  • Core value: Seamless integration with terminal workflows while maintaining strong security practices

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Developers, sysadmins, terminal enthusiasts, security-conscious users
Core Feature Terminal-based password manager with auto-fill for sudo, ssh, and other CLI authentication, with optional visual feedback
Tech Stack Rust or Go for cross-platform compatibility, with native terminal widgets, integration with popular password managers via API
Difficulty High
Monetization Revenue-ready: Freemium model with advanced features for paid users

Notes

  • Addresses the frustration mentioned by users about managing complex passwords in terminals
  • HN would appreciate its CLI-first approach and practical utility for power users
  • Solves the unmet need for password management in environments where graphical tools aren't available

Latency-Aware Auth

Summary

  • An authentication system that adapts its UI based on network conditions and latency
  • Solves the frustration of high-latency connections where users can't tell if their input is being registered
  • Core value: Intelligent adaptation to connection quality for optimal authentication experience

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Remote workers, developers using SSH, system administrators managing remote servers
Core Feature Detects network latency and automatically adjusts password feedback strategy (silent, visual, delayed, etc.)
Tech Stack Go or Rust for low overhead, network analysis libraries, PAM integration for Linux systems
Difficulty Medium
Monetization Hobby

Notes

  • Directly addresses the "high latency SSH" pain point mentioned by multiple users
  • HN would appreciate the technical approach to solving a practical connectivity problem
  • Provides real-world utility for remote workers dealing with inconsistent connections

AccessAuth

Summary

  • An accessibility-focused authentication system for users with visual impairments or motor difficulties
  • Solves the pain point of silent password entry for users who rely on screen readers or have difficulty with input validation
  • Core value: Inclusive authentication experience that works for all users regardless of ability

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Users with visual impairments, motor disabilities, accessibility advocates
Core Feature Multi-modal authentication feedback (audio cues, haptic feedback, speech verification) for terminal password entry
Tech Stack Python with accessibility libraries, speech recognition APIs, haptic feedback integration
Difficulty High
Monetization Revenue-ready: Institutional/enterprise licensing for accessibility compliance

Notes

  • Addresses an unmet need mentioned in the discussion around accessibility and password entry
  • HN would appreciate the technical approach to solving an important accessibility problem
  • Provides practical utility for making technology more inclusive without compromising security

SecureTerm

Summary

  • A security-focused terminal environment that mitigates shoulder surfing and visual eavesdropping risks
  • Solves the concern about password visibility during authentication in shared or public spaces
  • Core value: Enhanced security for terminal authentication without sacrificing usability

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Security-conscious professionals, users in shared workspaces, remote workers in public spaces
Core Feature Terminal with built-in privacy features (dynamic screen filtering, keyboard-only authentication, anti-shoulder-surfing UI)
Tech Stack Rust for security, custom terminal implementation, privacy-focused design patterns
Difficulty High
Monetization Revenue-ready: Commercial licensing for enterprises and security-focused organizations

Notes

  • Directly addresses the security concerns raised about visible passwords during sudo use
  • HN would appreciate the security-first approach and practical utility for protecting sensitive authentication
  • Provides a solution to the unmet need for secure terminal authentication in potentially compromised environments

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