Awase-E: Image-based authentication for mobile phones using user's favorite images

Abstract

There is a trade-off between security and usability in user authentication for mobile phones. Since such devices have a poor input interfaces, 4-digit number passwords are widely used at present. Therefore, a more secure and user friendly authentication is needed. This paper proposes a novel authentication method called "Awase-E". The system uses image passwords. It, moreover, integrates image registration and notification interfaces. Image registration enables users to use their favorite image instead of a text password. Notification gives users a trigger to take action against a threat when it happens. Awase-E is implemented so that it has a higher usability even when it is used through a mobile phone. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2003.