| AUTHENTICATION |
Authentication is a process used to determine a user's identity. The most common form of authentication is user name and
password, although this also provides the lowest level of security. VPNs use digital
certificates and digital signatures to more accurately identify the user. |
Out there are now many authentication methods, each depending on a specific purpose:
- pop/imap mail retrieval authentication is done using simple username/password schemas.
- computer login authentication (as used by the end user) can take the form of simple
username/password authentication or can be as complex as using digital tokens for a user
to get authenticated to a system (tokens are also referred to as two-factor
authentication devices)
- website authentication can be done through the use of client side
digital certificates (protected by a passpharase)
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Recently, more sophisticated forms of authentication have begun to show up on home and office computer systems.
Most of these new systems use some form of biometrics for authentication. Biometrics
uses biological information to verify identity. Biometric authentication methods include:
- Fingerprint scan
- Retina scan
- Face scan
- Voice identification
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