Dynamic password strength dependent on system state

An information handling system comprising:

• one or more processors;
• a memory coupled to at least one of the processors, wherein the memory includes a plurality of memory areas;
• a display screen accessible by at least one of the processors;
• and
• a set of computer program instructions stored in the memory and executed by at least one of the processors in order to perform actions of:
• detecting a plurality of password entries by a user of the information handling system, wherein each of the password entries corresponds to one of a plurality of passwords entered at an input device of the information handling system when invoking an application on the information handling system;
• calculating a password strength corresponding to each of the detected password entries, the calculating performed by one or more processors;
• identifying a strongest password based on the password strength calculations;
• receiving a device lock request from the user of the information handling system, the device lock request received at a user interface;
• and
• setting the information handling system into a locked state, wherein the locking prevents data stored on the information handling system from being accessed while the information handling system is in the locked state, and wherein the information handling system is unlocked by entry of the identified strongest password.

A computer program product stored in a computer readable storage device, comprising computer program code that, when executed by an information handling system, causes the information handling system to perform actions comprising:

• detecting a plurality of password entries by a user of the information handling system, wherein each of the password entries corresponds to one of a plurality of passwords entered at an input device of the information handling system when invoking an application on the information handling system;
• calculating a password strength corresponding to each of the detected password entries, the calculating performed by one or more processors;
• identifying a strongest password based on the password strength calculations;
• receiving a device lock request from the user of the information handling system, the device lock request received at a user interface;
• and
• setting the information handling system into a locked state, wherein the locking prevents data stored on the information handling system from being accessed while the information handling system is in the locked state, and wherein the information handling system is unlocked by entry of the identified strongest password.

A method that is implemented by an information handling system, the method comprising:

• scanning a display screen when a selected application executing on an information handling system is invoked, wherein the information handling system executes a plurality of applications;
• identifying a password entry field being displayed by the selected application;
• capturing a plurality of keystrokes directed at the identified password entry field, the captured keystrokes forming a password entry that corresponds to the selected application;
• calculating a password strength of the password entry;
• and
• storing the password entry and the password strength in a memory area that includes a plurality of password entries and a plurality of calculated password strengths corresponding to a plurality of password enabled applications.