In some cases on Windows XP clients, the window for the password or the public-key passphrase can lose focus. This means that the password window is shown active on the screen, but when you start typing your password, the asterisks do not appear in the box. If the actual focus happens to be in an other window, your password or passphase may appear there.

The password window loses focus most often when you have the SSH Tectia Connection Broker status window open. So the first workaround is to make sure the status window is not open while you start logging in.

A permanent solution to the problem is to modify the Windows settings that control the behaviour of the applications. By default, Windows has on a setting that prevents applications from stealing the focus. As a workaround, you can allow applications to steal the focus. Note that the setting affects all Windows applications, not just the SSH Tectia Connection Broker.

To be able to change the setting, you need to download the Microsoft Tweak UI utility program. Follow these instructions: