Computer security authentication means verifying the identity of a user logging into a network. Passwords, digital certificates, smart cards, and biometric data can be used to prove a user’s identity on the network. Computer security authentication includes message integrity verification, email authentication, and MAC (Message Authentication Code), which verifies the integrity of a transmitted message. There’s human authentication, challenge-response authentication, password, digital signature, IP spoofing, and biometrics.
Human authentication is verification that a person initiated the transaction, not the computer. Challenge-response authentication is an authentication method used to prove the identity of a user logging on to the network. When a user logs in, the network access server (NAS), wireless access point, or authentication server creates a challenge, usually a random number sent to the client machine. The client software uses your password to encrypt the challenge through an encryption algorithm or one-way hash function and sends the result over the network. This is the answer.
Two-factor authentication requires two independent ways to establish identity and privileges. The method of using more than one authentication factor is also called strong authentication. This is in contrast to traditional password authentication, which requires only one factor to gain access to a system. The password is a secret word or code that serves as a security measure against unauthorized access to data. It is normally managed by the operating system or DBMS. However, a computer can only verify the legality of the password, not the legality of the user.
The two main applications of digital signatures are establishing a secure connection to a website and verifying the integrity of transmitted files. IP spoofing refers to inserting an authorized user’s IP address into an unauthorized user’s transmission to gain illegal access to a computer system.
Biometrics is a more secure form of authentication than typing passwords or even using smart cards that can be stolen. However, some shapes have relatively high failure rates. For example, fingerprints can be captured from a glass of water and fool scanners.
