Usability and Security of Knowledge-based Authentication Systems: A State-of-the-Art Review

Abstract

Knowledge-based passwords are still the most dom-inant authentication method for securing digital platforms and services, in spite of the emergence of alternative systems such as token-based and biometric systems. This method has remained the most popular one mostly because of its usability, compatibility, affordability of implementation, and user familiarity. However, the main challenge of knowledge-based password schemes lies in creating passwords that provide a balance between memorability and security. This research aimed to compare various knowledge-based schemes in order to establish a strategy that provided high memorability and resilience to most cyberattacks. The overview of this research identifies areas of knowledge-based passwords for further research and enhances the methodology that helps to offer insight into usable, secure, and sustainable authentication approaches. Future work has been recommended to explore the major features and drawbacks of recognition-based textual passwords because this method provides the usability and security benefits of graphical passwords with the familiarity of textual passwords.