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Authentication
A
method to verify the identity of a user or an entity of genuine
origin, be it a person, computer, process or commodity.
Computer users provide credentials, such as domain, user name &
password or physically, using fingerprints or retinal scans. In
messaging,
it can confirm the identity of the sender, as well as, if the message
arrived at the intended location, unaltered. |
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Users
From
the user's perspective, the decision of what form of authentication
is to
be used can be far removed from their control. It is more important
to understand what your responsibilities are and the policies & procedures
to be followed to achieve consistency.
Several methods are used establish the identities, such as digital
certificates, PKI, challenge & response, etc. Encryption is
used to shelter data from prying eyes, both internally & externally. |
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DeveloperWorks-
Canada
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