What is a benefit of using password expiration?

Using password expiration is beneficial because it helps to prevent recycled passwords. When passwords are required to be changed periodically, users are less likely to reuse the same password across multiple accounts or services. Frequent changes to passwords ensure that even if a password has been compromised or is known by an unauthorized individual, it will eventually become obsolete due to the expiration policy. This significantly enhances security by reducing the window of opportunity for misuse of the compromised password.

While it's true that password expiration can encourage the creation of new passwords, it doesn't guarantee that those passwords will be stronger. Password complexity is influenced by the guidelines set for creating them, rather than the act of changing them alone. Furthermore, password expiration does not allow users to never change their passwords; in fact, it requires them to change passwords regularly. Lastly, while a password policy that includes expiration can be part of a broader authentication system, it does not necessarily simplify user authentication processes. Rather, it introduces an additional step that users must remember and manage.