2.5 AUTHENTICATION technologies.

2.5 AUTHENTICATION technologies.

Authentication is a process where user verifies their identity. 

 Authentication deals with the problem of determining whether

 a user should be allowed access to a particular system. Four 

commonly authentication methods:

a. User identification (something you know - have to remember). 

User identification is a unique combination of
character (letter, number or symbol) that identify specific user.

 Examples of user identification are pin number and password.

b. Possessed object (something you have - an object). A possessed

 object is any item that you must carry to gain access to computer 

or computer facility. Examples of possessed objects are ATM card, 

credit card, key,security token and smart card. The card you use in

 an automated teller machine (ATM) is a possessed object that allows 

access to your bank account. 

                              

c. Biometric device (something you are - part of user's body) is a devices

 that translates personal characteristic into digital code that is

 compared with the digital code stored in the database. E.g. of biometric

 devices are fingerprint reader, hand geometry reader, iris scanner, signature verification system. 

hand geometry reader