A method and system for authenticating a user of a computerised system

A method for authenticating a user of a computerised system comprises computing an array or grid 100 of elements 102, presenting the array to the user, receiving user input comprising elements corresponding to pre-determined positions 104, 106 within the array, comparing the user input against a known value and authenticating a user if there is a match. The number of unique or distinct elements in the array is less than the total number of elements (so that at least one element is repeated). The number of distinct elements may be greater than four, but not greater than one above the greatest integer less than or equal to the square root of the total number of elements in the array. The array may be generated using the current time and date, an identifier associated with a user or device, and an incrementing seed number. The user input might form a one-time password (OTP), and the pre-determined position (defined by a memorable identification pattern) might not be received by the authentication ...

A method and system for authenticating a user of a computerised system

A method and system for authenticating a computer user by using an array of elements

A method for authenticating a user of a computerised system comprises computing an array or grid 100 of elements 102, presenting the array to the user, receiving user input comprising elements corresponding to pre-determined positions 104, 106 within the array, comparing the user input against a known value and authenticating a user if there is a match. The number of unique elements in the array is less than the total number of elements (so that at least one element is repeated). The user input will form a one-time password (OTP), and the pre-determined position (defined by a memorable identification pattern) is not received by the authentication device. A static PIN or password may also be input by a user. The elements may be numbers (digits), letters, symbols, other characters, shapes or colours. The number of unique elements may be greater than four; each element may be represented at least twice and distributed substantially evenly amongst the array.