Static Authentication Matrix for Malware-Resistant Dynamic Passwords
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user authentication methods are vulnerable to malicious attacks, such as keystroke logging and screen capturing malware, which can compromise authentication credentials.
Innovation Solution
A system using a static authentication matrix with spurious and authentication blocks, combined with a block selection sequence and matrix spinning operations, to generate dynamic passwords, enhancing security by making it difficult for malicious users to obtain authentication information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional authentication methods (static passwords, OTPs) are used, then authentication simplicity is maintained, but authentication security deteriorates due to vulnerability to malware attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication process is segmented into multiple independent components: static password verification, dynamic password generation, block selection sequence, and authentication matrix operations. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific security function while maintaining overall system manageability, resolving the contradiction between security enhancement and complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static authentication (fixed passwords) to dynamic authentication (changing passwords based on block selection sequences and authentication matrices). The dynamic password changes with each authentication attempt and cannot be predicted by malware, improving security while the structured dynamic process keeps complexity manageable.
2Reliability
If authentication credentials are stored on user devices, then authentication convenience is improved, but authentication security deteriorates due to malware capturing credentials
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of the static password and lot-one authentication string before proceeding to dynamic password generation. This preliminary check ensures that only authenticated users can access the dynamic password generation process, maintaining security while providing convenience to legitimate users who have already proven their identity.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication matrix and block selection sequence act as intermediaries between the user's static credentials and the final authentication decision. Even if malware captures intermediate values, it cannot derive the final authentication result without knowing the specific block selection sequence and matrix configuration, protecting security while allowing convenient authentication flow.
3Reliability
If static passwords are used for authentication, then ease of operation is maintained, but authentication security deteriorates due to predictability and malware vulnerability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of static credentials before initiating the dynamic password process. This allows the system to quickly reject invalid attempts while providing enhanced security for valid users, minimizing time loss for legitimate authentication while maintaining high security standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication process uses periodic elements such as the block selection sequence and matrix spinning operations that occur at predictable intervals in the authentication flow. This structured periodicity allows the system to maintain security through multiple validation stages while keeping the overall process time manageable through efficient staging.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving a hash of a static password and a hash of a lot-one authentication string from a user device of a user. After an initial validation, an authentication matrix is generated. A block selection process is performed to select spurious and authentication blocks from the authentication matrix. The authentication blocks are selected based on a lot-two authentication string associated with the lot-one authentication string. In response to determining that the spurious and authentication blocks are selected according to a block selection sequence stored in a user profile of the user, a dynamic password is generated by combining the static password, the lot-one authentication string, and the authentication blocks. A hash of the dynamic password is generated. In response to determining that the hash of the dynamic password matches a hash of a dynamic password that is stored in the user profile, the user is authenticated.