Why does it take longer to check an incorrect password?
 

Sometimes, I type a bit too quickly, and get my password wrong. When I do this, it takes a second or two before my command prompt is returned to me. Yet when I type in the correct password, it logs me in more or less straight away.

Why does it take longer to verify that a password is incorrect than it does to check it's correct? It seems to me it's easier to check something is right...

Just wondering :)

Security measure?

As AlucardZero speculated, this is indeed a security measure. It is intended to slow down the rate that a brute force attack can take place.

Ah, something as simple as that then.

Lovely :)