When you receive something or talk to someone, you want to be able to rely on the fact that the person or thing you are in contact with is genuine. If it is, then it has gone through the process of authentication. There are different types of authentication, but the act of authentication means you are establishing whether something or someone is what it or he claims to be.
Personal
People can be authenticated by many methods--passwords, identification cards, keys or personal identification numbers, like a Social Security number.
Product
Antiques, first edition books and name brand items are also authenticated. Some first edition books can be identified by a complete number line, the copyright date and a statement saying "First Edition."
Password Identification
A computer user is authenticated by the computer or network by the use of one of three methods: one-, two- or three- factor identification. In a two-factor identification, the user is required to give two pieces of information to the system, like an identification card and a password.
Digital Signatures
A digital signature is a mathematical way of authenticating a document digitally. These types of signatures are often used in financial transactions.
Biometric Authentication
Types of biometric authentication include fingerprints, voice or eye scans. Biometric authentication methods are used mainly in government and banking, although the use of biometric authentication is growing rapidly.
Tags: edition books, first edition books