authentication

au·then·ti·cate   (ô-thěn'tĭ-kāt')    tr.v.   au·then·ti·cat·ed, au·then·ti·cat·ing, au·then·ti·cates To establish the authenticity of; prove genuine: a specialist who authenticated the antique samovar. See Synonyms at confirm. au·then'ti·ca'tion n., au·then'ti·ca'tor n.

Main Entry: au·then·ti·cate
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -cat·ed; -cat·ing
1 : to prove or serve to prove that (something) is genuine; especially : to prove that (an item of evidence) is genuine for the purpose of establishing admissibility
2 : to make (a written instrument) valid and effective by marking esp. with one's signature <authenticate a check>

authentication security
The verification of the identity of a person or process. In a communication system, authentication verifies that messages really come from their stated source, like the signature on a (paper) letter. The most common form of authentication is typing a user name (which may be widely known or easily guessable) and a corresponding password that is presumed to be known only to the individual being authenticated. Another form of authentication is biometrics.
(2007-02-22)