DARPA’s Active Authentication Program
February 18th, 2013Via: Foreign Policy:
The Active Authentication program is aimed at verifying your identity based on your online behavior instead of an easily guessed or stolen password.
“The program focuses on the development of new types of behavioral biometrics focused on the user’s cognitive processes,” Richard Guidorizzi, DARPA program manager, explained in an email to Killer Apps. In English, that means Active Authentication will monitor your computer habits — like your typing patterns, the way you use a mouse, and even how you construct sentences — to assemble an “online fingerprint.”
“Examples of this could include, but are not limited to, behavioral biometrics that focus on a user’s unique way of typing on the device or cognitive biometrics that focus on how the user processes language and structures sentences,” he said.
In theory, a user would log onto his computer using a government-issued secure ID card, known as a Common Access Control card. This would tell AA sensors to begin monitoring the user, analyzing typing and sentence structure, and comparing the patterns to previous behavior.
AA isn’t just limited to desktop computers. DARPA will also address mobile devices.
Related from 2007: Software Can Identify You from Your Online Habits
