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Non-encrypted passwords are an artifact of legacy systems, and some modern businesses believe that the risk of plain-text passwords being leaked is lower than the risk of systems breaking due to updating passwords/authentication to an encrypted schema.

Some modern businesses don't make the best decisions.

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No, non-encrypted passwords are an artefact of poor design and incompetent programmers. Cryptographic hashing has been around since the 70's, and cryptography itself pre-dates history.

There is no excuse --no excuse-- for storing passwords in plain text. Anybody who attempts to justify it deserves a swift thwack in the back of the head.

> Non-encrypted passwords are an artifact of legacy systems

The copyright is from 2004, that's only 10 years ago. I wouldn't say plaintext passwords were a sensible decision back then.

> Some modern businesses don't make the best decisions.

Some modern businesses don't have the best priorities.

↑ This!

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