Social Authentication via Video Connection with Trusted Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional username/password authentication methods are insecure and burdensome, leading to security vulnerabilities, and do not effectively utilize human interaction for authentication, which is common in real-life scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A social authentication system that monitors a user's social network to establish a video connection with authenticated users, allowing them to verify the identity of the user requesting access to a secure resource through video authentication data, and supports continuous authentication by maintaining the video connection until the resource is locked or logged out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If username/password authentication is used, then authentication can be performed, but security is compromised and usability is burdened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces social network connections as an intermediary mechanism for authentication. Instead of directly relying on passwords, the system uses trusted contacts from the user's social network to verify identity through video connections, thereby enhancing security while maintaining ease of use through social trust relationships
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical password entry system with a video-based social verification system. The authentication process transitions from typing passwords to establishing video connections with trusted contacts, eliminating the need for memorizing and managing complex passwords
2Ease of operation
If traditional authentication methods are used, then authentication is simple, but security vulnerabilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing video connections with trusted contacts before granting access to secure resources. This pre-verification through social networks strengthens security while keeping the actual authentication process simple for the user
Solution Approach 2:
Trusted contacts from the social network serve as intermediaries who verify the user's identity through video connections. This intermediary layer adds security without requiring the user to directly manage complex authentication mechanisms
3Reliability
If video connection authentication is implemented, then security is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing social network infrastructure and video communication capabilities that users already have, making the authentication system multi-functional by reusing established platforms rather than building a completely new authentication infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
User authentication is provided. A social network associated with a user of a client device is monitored to determine whether a set of designated users are currently logged in and authenticated to access a secure resource. A video connection is established between the user of the client device and the set of designated users that are currently logged in and authenticated to access the secure resource. In addition, an authentication request screen is sent showing captured video authentication data corresponding to the user of the client device to the set of designated users that are currently logged in and authenticated to access the secure resource.