Importance of User Authentication

User authentication can protect information from unauthorized access

PC users and businesses use computers for numerous functions, including transferring and storing digital data. Users may wish to keep this information restricted for a number of reasons. User authentication can be used for this purpose.

Definition

User authentication is a means of authenticating, or verifying, the identity of an individual requesting access to certain information.

Types

There are several ways user authentication can be processed or verified. The requester may identify himself by means of an item he uniquely possesses, such as a driver's license. The user can also confirm her identity via secret information the requester uniquely knows, such as a password. The requester can also verify his identity through what he is, such as biometric information. An example of biometric information would be a fingerprint.

Purpose

User authentication is an important security measure for protecting confidential data. Without a means of verifying a potential requester, data access may be granted to unauthorized individuals or groups that can steal confidential information for malicious purposes, or in the case of businesses, use the information to their financial advantage. Unauthorized access to data can also lead to file corruption or the downloading of viruses, both of which can cause a system or entire network to crash.

References

• PCMag.com: Definition of: authentication
• "Mechanics of User Identification and Authentication: Fundamentals of Identity Management"; Dobromir Todorov; 2007

Resources

• "Authentication: From Passwords to Public Keys"; Richard E. Smith; 2001