An approach for mitigating cognitive load in password management by integrating QR codes and steganography

Abstract

The proliferation of digital services and the imperative for secure authentication have necessitated the management of an expanding array of passwords, imposing a significant cognitive burden on users. The predominant method for authentication remains the use of passwords. However, a critical issue with this approach is that individuals frequently forget their passwords, particularly when managing multiple accounts. This often results in users creating similar or easily guessable passwords for different accounts or writing them down, compromising security. This article investigates an innovative method to mitigate cognitive burden using steganography‐embedded quick response (QR) codes for streamlined password management. The proposed model, named MASTER (Multi‐device‐based Authentication using STEgged QR Codes), was evaluated for usability using the system usability scale (SUS) and the subjective mental effort scale. The security of the model is evaluated using attack analysis and comparative analysis with image visibility and robustness. The evaluation results indicate that the MASTER model achieved a SUS score of 75.94, with the majority of participants agreeing that the system reduces cognitive effort.