Techniques are described for enabling a Kerberos-based authentication system to provide a client with access to a plurality of unmodifiable components that require plain text passwords. Such an approach enables a user to sign into a distributed computer system using a single password, and access multiple components that require different passwords without the need to enter a second password. By using Kerberos based authentication, passwords are not unnecessarily sent throughout distributed computing system where they may be vulnerable. A proxy key distribution center can be used to manage passwords or other credentials on behalf of various clients, which can be used with various processes discussed herein.