Gaze-based Authentication in Virtual Reality

Abstract

Authentication in virtual reality (VR) is a challenging topic since the common input modalities in VR (e. g., hand-held controllers) are limited and easily observable from the perspective of a bystander. Yet, as applications in VR are increasingly allowing access to private information and commercial applications appear (e. g., virtual shopping, social media), the secure identification and verification of a person is a major concern. This challenge is aggravated, as the wearer of a head-mounted display (HMD) does not perceive the surrounding real environment through the HMD. As more and more HMDs are released to the market with built-in eye-tracking functionality, we seek to understand how we can seamlessly utilize gaze-based authentication and connected methods in VR applications.