← Years 7–8 Digital Systems

Authentication factors

A type of proof that you are who you say you are: something you know (password, PIN), something you have (phone, key), or something you are (fingerprint, face).

Part of: 7-8 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 57, 9-10 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 17, VCE Data Analytics - U4O2 - Cyber Security: Data Security — Module 39, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Networks and Cyber Threats — Module 38, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Networked Systems and Access Control — Module 106, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Digital Methods for Exchanging Data — Module 48, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Network Communications — Module 124, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Cyber Security — Module 103

Understanding Authentication factors in Years 7–8 Digital Systems

What it does: A phone is an object you hold, so it shows the possession factor. A password is a secret you remember, so it shows the knowledge factor. Fingerprints are part of your body, so they are an inherence factor: something you are. A PIN is a secret number you remember. The card itself would be something you have, but the PIN is something you know. An authentication factor is a kind of proof of identity. The three types are know, have and are. Fingerprints and faces are inherence factors. Knowledge factors are secrets like passwords and PINs. Phones and keys are possession factors. Something you are means a body feature like a face or fingerprint.

Common mistakes: A fingerprint is something you are (inherence), not something you know. The line should be fingerprint = are. A PIN is something you know and a fingerprint is something you are. The line should be factors = know + are.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 26–74) and word search (Modules 4–74).

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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
A password is which type of authentication factor?
Something you knowSomething you have
Matches
fingerprint = something you know
↓
A fingerprint is part of your body, so it is something you are (inherence), not something you know.
Applying
Meanings
Term
authentication factor
Meaning
A type of proof that you are who you say you are: something you know (password, PIN), something you have (phone, key), or something you are (fingerprint, face).
Practice
know: password, PIN
Testing
Gaps
A password is something you
Check Answer
Spots
2phone = have
3fingerprint = know

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Quick Questions

1. A password is which type of authentication factor?
A. Something you know ✓
B. Something you have
A password is a secret stored in your memory, so it is a knowledge factor: something you know.
2. Your phone receiving a one-time code is an example of...
A. Something you are
B. Something you have ✓
A phone is a physical item that you hold, so it is a possession factor: something you have.
3. Which one is a fingerprint scan?
A. Something you are ✓
B. Something you know
Fingerprints are part of your body, so they are an inherence factor: something you are.
4. A 4-digit PIN for your school canteen card is...
A. Something you know ✓
B. Something you have
A PIN is a secret number you remember. The card itself would be something you have, but the PIN is something you know.
5. Which statement is true about authentication factors?
A. They are types of computer viruses
B. They are types of proof that you are who you say you are ✓
An authentication factor is a kind of proof of identity. The three types are know, have and are.

Match the Pairs

PIN = 4829 → Something you know: a knowledge factor
scan(fingerprint) → Something you are: an inherence factor
Something you have is a possession factor, like a phone or a key → factor = phone
Something you know is a knowledge factor, like a password → factor = password
fingerprint = something you know → A fingerprint is part of your body, so it is something you are (inherence), not something you know.
phone = something you are → A phone is an object you hold, so it is something you have (possession), not something you are.

Key Term

authentication factor
A type of proof that you are who you say you are: something you know (password, PIN), something you have (phone, key), or something you are (fingerprint, face).

Fill in the Blanks

1. A password is something you know
Hint: Type the word for proof that is stored in your memory.
2. A phone is something you have
Hint: Type the word for proof that you hold or own.
3. A fingerprint is something you are
Hint: Type the short word for proof based on your body.
4. A PIN is a knowledge factor
Hint: Type the name of the factor type for things you remember.
5. A face scan is an inherence factor
Hint: Type the name of the factor type for features of your body.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A password = know
B phone = have
C fingerprint = know
Line C — A fingerprint is something you are (inherence), not something you know. The line should be fingerprint = are.
Question 2
A enter PIN
B scan fingerprint
C factors = know + know
Line C — A PIN is something you know and a fingerprint is something you are. The line should be factors = know + are.
Question 3
A know: phone, PIN
B have: phone, key
C are: fingerprint, face
Line A — A phone is something you have, not something you know. The know line should list password, PIN.
Question 4
A have: password, key card
B know: password, PIN
C are: fingerprint, face
Line A — A password is something you know, not something you have. The have line should list phone, key card.
Question 5
A types = 0
B IF password correct THEN
C types = types + 1
D IF PIN correct THEN
E types = types + 1
Line D — A PIN is something you know, the same type as a password, so it would not add a new factor type. The line should check the phone code (something you have).

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