Reinforcing password authentication with typing biometrics

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology for the reinforcement of password authentication with the use of typing biometrical mechanisms. Typing biometrics refers to the analysis of keystroke patterns, which is unique for each user. The analysis of these keystroke patterns is done transparently, without being noticeable to the user, while he/she tries to gain system access via a password authentication mechanism in the normal way, i.e. by entering a user identification and password string. The analysis of keystroke patterns is done with fuzzy logic techniques, which are shown to have great potential in uniquely categorising each user's unique typing patterns. Fuzzy logic techniques have proven to be very successful in a wide range of applications, with much commercial success. It is shown that the integration of fuzzy logic based typing biometrics into currently employed password mechanisms, which is the most commonly used authentication device, can only serve to enhance security.