A framework for continuous, transparent authentication on mobile devices

Crawford, Heather Anne (2012) A framework for continuous, transparent authentication on mobile devices. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Mobile devices have consistently advanced in terms of processing power, amount of memory and functionality. With these advances, the ability to store potentially private or sensitive information on them has increased. Traditional methods for securing mobile devices, passwords and PINs, are inadequate given their weaknesses and the bursty use patterns that characterize mobile devices. Passwords and PINs are often shared or weak secrets to ameliorate the memory load on device owners. Furthermore, they represent point-of-entry security, which provides access control but not authentication. Alternatives to these traditional meth- ods have been suggested. Examples include graphical passwords, biometrics and sketched passwords, among others. These alternatives all have their place in an authentication toolbox, as do passwords and PINs, but do not respect the unique needs of the mobile device environment.
This dissertation presents a continuous, transparent authentication method for mobile devices called the Transparent Authentication Framework. The Framework uses behavioral biometrics, which are patterns in how people perform actions, to verify the identity of the mobile device owner. It is transparent in that the biometrics are gathered in the background while the device is used normally, and is continuous in that verification takes place regularly. The Framework requires little effort from the device owner, goes beyond access control to provide authentication, and is acceptable and trustworthy to device owners, all while respecting the memory and processor limitations of the mobile device environment.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Authentication, mobile devices, biometrics
• Subjects: Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
• Colleges/Schools: College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science
• Supervisor's Name: Renaud, Dr. Karen V.
• Date of Award: 2012
• Depositing User: Mrs Heather Anne Crawford
• Unique ID: glathesis:2012-4046
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 28 Feb 2013 09:25
• Last Modified: 28 Feb 2013 09:25
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/4046