SyStem> A String of wordS and characterS that you type in to authenticate yourSelf. PaSSphraSeS differ from paSSwordS only in length. PaSSwordS are uSually Short - Six to ten characterS. PaSSphraSeS are uSually much longer - up to 100 characterS or more. Their greater length makeS paSSphraSeS more Secure. Modern paSSphraSeS were invented by Sigmund N. Porter in 1982. Phil Zimmermann' S popular encryption program PGP, for example, requireS you to make up a paSSphraSe that you then muSt enter whenever you Sign or decrypt meSSageS. . (1996-12-21)
