Tunnistautumistekijät

Tunnistautumistekijät, also known as authentication factors, are distinct pieces of evidence used to verify a user's identity. They are the building blocks of modern security systems, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access sensitive information or systems. Typically, these factors are categorized into three main types, often referred to as "something you know," "something you have," and "something you are."

The first category, "something you know," includes information that is only accessible to the user. This is the most common type and includes passwords, PINs, and security questions. While widely used, these factors are also the most vulnerable to compromise through methods like phishing or brute-force attacks.

The second category, "something you have," refers to physical items that the user possesses. Examples include a mobile phone receiving a one-time code via SMS, a hardware security token generating codes, or a smart card. These factors are generally more secure than knowledge-based factors as they require physical possession, making them harder for attackers to obtain remotely.

The third and final category, "something you are," involves unique biological or behavioral traits of the user. This is known as biometrics and includes fingerprints, facial recognition, iris scans, and voice recognition. Biometric factors are considered highly secure as they are inherently unique to the individual and cannot be easily lost or stolen.

In many security contexts, a combination of these factors, known as multi-factor authentication (MFA), is employed. By requiring a user to present evidence from two or more different categories, the overall security of the authentication process is significantly enhanced, making it much more difficult for unauthorized access to occur.