Chapter 5: Passwords & Authentication

authentication

The process of verifying that someone is who they say they are.

biometric

Security measure that uses unique physical characteristics like fingerprints or facial features for identification.

brute force attack

A method of trying many password combinations to guess the correct one.

credential

Information used to verify identity, such as username and password.

digital certificate

An electronic document that proves the identity of a website or user.

factor

A method of verifying identity (something you know, have, or are).

hash

A mathematical function that converts passwords into scrambled text.

key

A piece of information used to encrypt or decrypt data.

passphrase

A longer password made up of multiple words.

password

A secret word or phrase used to gain access to a system or account.

password manager

A software tool that helps users create and store strong, unique passwords.

Personal Identification Number (PIN)

A short numeric password, often used for quick logins.

private key

Secret code used in encryption that only the owner knows.

public key

Code that can be shared with others for encrypted communication.

salt

Random data added to passwords before encryption for extra security.

security question

A question only the user is supposed to know the answer to, used for account recovery.

strong password

A password that is hard to guess and uses a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

A security process that requires two types of verification, like a password and a code sent to your phone.

username

A unique name that identifies a user on a system.