Epäbiometrisiä

Epäbiometrisiä, meaning non-biometric in Finnish, refers to authentication methods that do not rely on unique biological characteristics of an individual. Unlike biometrics, which use fingerprints, iris scans, or facial recognition, non-biometric systems employ other means to verify identity. These methods are typically knowledge-based or token-based.

Knowledge-based authentication relies on something the user knows, such as a password, a PIN code, or answers to security questions. These are common in everyday digital interactions, like logging into email accounts or online banking. The security of this method depends on the user's ability to remember the information and keep it secret from unauthorized individuals.

Token-based authentication involves something the user possesses. This can be a physical object like a security key, a smart card, or a mobile phone that receives a one-time passcode (OTP). Multi-factor authentication often combines knowledge-based and token-based methods to enhance security. For instance, logging into a secure system might require both a password and a code generated by a physical token or a mobile app.

The advantage of non-biometric methods is their widespread availability and lower implementation cost compared to many biometric systems. However, they are also susceptible to different types of attacks, such as phishing for passwords or the physical theft of tokens. The ongoing development of authentication technologies seeks to balance security, usability, and cost-effectiveness, with non-biometric solutions remaining a foundational element in many security frameworks.