Reducing the effectiveness of smudge and thermal imaging attacks

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that includes a set of instructions which, in response to execution by a processor of an electronic device, causes the processor to perform a method for password authentication, the method comprising:

• generating at least one sequence of input elements for entry during the authentication of the user's password to disguise entry of the user's password via the input interface by increasing contact of the user with an input interface of the electronic device;
• prompting, on a display of the electronic device, for an entry of the user's password and the at least one sequence of input elements via the input interface;
• receiving, via the input interface, entry of the user's password and the at least one sequence of input elements;
• and
• determining whether the authentication is successful by checking whether the received entry is correct.

An electronic device for password authentication, comprising:

• a processor;
• a display;
• an input interface;
• and
• a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
• generate at least one sequence of input elements for entry during the authentication of the user's password to disguise entry of the user's password via the input interface by increasing contact of the user with the input interface;
• prompt, on the display, for an entry of the user's password and the at least one sequence of input elements via the input interface;
• receive, via the input interface, entry of the user's password and the at least one sequence of input elements;
• and
• determining whether the authentication is successful by checking whether the received entry is correct.