There is a growing demand for different types of user authentication technologies for both online and in physical systems. The motivation to authenticate users ranges from access control reasons to business development purposes like adding e-commerce elements. Show Organizations need to understand that passwords are not the only way to authenticate users. There is a wide variety of authentication technologies and an even greater range of activities that require authentication methods. What Is Authentication?Authentication is the process of identifying users that request access to a system, network, or device. Access control often determines user identity according to credentials like username and password. Other authentication technologies like biometrics and authentication apps are also used to authenticate user identity. Why Is User Authentication Important?User authentication is a method that keeps unauthorized users from accessing sensitive information. For example, User A only has access to relevant information and cannot see the sensitive information of User B. Cybercriminals can gain access to a system and steal information when user authentication is not secure. The data breaches companies like Adobe, Equifax, and Yahoo faced are examples of what happens when organizations fail to secure their user authentication. Hackers gained access to Yahoo user accounts to steal contacts, calendars and private emails between 2012 and 2016. The Equifax data breach in 2017 exposed credit card data of more than 147 million consumers. Without a secure authentication process, any organization could be at risk. 5 Common Authentication TypesCybercriminals always improve their attacks. As a result, security teams are facing plenty of authentication-related challenges. This is why companies are starting to implement more sophisticated incident response strategies, including authentication as part of the process. The list below reviews some common authentication methods used to secure modern systems. 1. Password-based authentication Passwords are the most common methods of authentication. Passwords can be in the form of a string of letters, numbers, or special characters. To protect yourself you need to create strong passwords that include a combination of all possible options. However, passwords are prone to phishing attacks and bad hygiene that weakens effectiveness. An average person has about 25 different online accounts, but only 54% of users use different passwords across their accounts. The truth is that there are a lot of passwords to remember. As a result, many people choose convenience over security. Most people use simple passwords instead of creating reliable passwords because they are easier to remember. The bottom line is that passwords have a lot of weaknesses and are not sufficient in protecting online information. Hackers can easily guess user credentials by running through all possible combinations until they find a match. 2. Multi-factor authentication
MFA authentication methods and technologies increase the confidence of users by adding multiple layers of security. MFA may be a good defense against most account hacks, but it has its own pitfalls. People may lose their phones or SIM cards and not be able to generate an authentication code. 3. Certificate-based authentication Certificate-based authentication technologies identify users, machines or devices by using digital certificates. A digital certificate is an electronic document based on the idea of a driver’s license or a passport. The certificate contains the digital identity of a user including a public key, and the digital signature of a certification authority. Digital certificates prove the ownership of a public key and issued only by a certification authority. Users provide their digital certificates when they sign in to a server. The server verifies the credibility of the digital signature and the certificate authority. The server then uses cryptography to confirm that the user has a correct private key associated with the certificate. 4. Biometric authentication Biometrics authentication is a security process that relies on the unique biological characteristics of an individual. Here are key advantages of using biometric authentication technologies:
Biometric authentication technologies are used by consumers, governments and private corporations including airports, military bases, and national borders. The technology is increasingly adopted due to the ability to achieve a high level of security without creating friction for the user. Common biometric authentication methods include:
What is the most secure form of authentication?Biometric Authentication Methods
Biometric authentication relies on the unique biological traits of a user in order to verify their identity. This makes biometrics one of the most secure authentication methods as of today.
What are the 3 types of authentication?The three authentication factors are: Knowledge Factor – something you know, e.g., password. Possession Factor – something you have, e.g., mobile phone. Inherence Factor – something you are, e.g., fingerprint.
What are 3 ways to authenticate a user?There are three common factors used for authentication: Something you know (such as a password) Something you have (such as a smart card) Something you are (such as a fingerprint or other biometric method)
Which type of authentication can also be used for identification?Answer : Type 3. Explanation Something you are - Type 3 Authentication (Biometrics): Fingerprint, iris scan, facial geometry etc., these are also called realistic authentication. The subject uses these to authenticate their identity, if they are that, they must be who they say they are.
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