Randomized Security Matrix for One-Time Password Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current authentication systems are vulnerable to compromise through visual observation and phishing techniques, making it difficult to securely authenticate users, especially in insecure environments.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates a one-time randomized Security Matrix for users to derive a One-Time Code using a predefined Keyword, ensuring the Keyword is never directly entered or shared, and the Security Matrix is re-randomized for each authentication request, minimizing the probability of keyword identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pre-arranged PIN or password is used for authentication, then the authentication process is simple and fast, but the system becomes vulnerable to compromise through visual observation and phishing techniques
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-registers a password derivation pattern for each user in advance. This pattern is stored on the verification server and used to generate the correct answer dynamically during authentication, rather than relying on a static PIN or password that could be compromised through observation or phishing
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the authentication approach by changing from static credentials (PIN/password) to dynamic credentials generated through a password derivation pattern. The pattern uses mathematical relationships between numbers that are easy for users to remember but difficult for attackers to reverse-engineer, even if they observe multiple authentication sessions
2Reliability
If cryptographic hash functions are used to protect passwords, then it becomes difficult to reverse-engineer the password from data copies, but visual observation and phishing techniques can still compromise the password
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the vulnerable element (the actual password or PIN) from the authentication process and replaces it with a password derivation pattern. Users never input their actual password during authentication; instead, they input a sequence of numbers that the system uses with the pre-registered pattern to generate the correct answer dynamically
Solution Approach 2:
The password derivation pattern acts as an intermediary between the user's remembered secret and the authentication verification. The pattern transforms user inputs into verifyable answers without exposing the underlying secret, making it impossible for attackers to obtain the actual password through observation or phishing
3Ease of operation
If a static password is used, then the user can remember it easily, but the same password is vulnerable to being observed and compromised across multiple sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dynamics into the authentication process by generating a different correct answer for each authentication session, even when users input the same sequence of numbers. The password derivation pattern ensures that the verification process adapts to each session, preventing attackers from learning the password through repeated observation
Data Source
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AI summary
A security system and method for authenticating a user's access to a system is disclosed. The security system receives an authentication request from the user and responds by generating a security matrix based on a previously stored user keyword and user preference data, the security matix being different for each authentication request. The security system sends the security matrix to the user and awaits a one-time code in response to the security matrix. The user forms the one-time code based on the user keyword, the user preferences, and the security matrix. The security system validates the one-time code against the security matrix, the keyword, and the user preferences, and responds by sending an authentication result to the user that either permits or denies access to the system. Additionally, the security system sends a success or fail message to the system to be accessed.