User authentication in a multi-touch surface: a chord password system.

In this research, we present a novel technique for user authentication. We take advantage of the fact that multi-touch screens have become apparent to almost any modern device so as to present a new technique that makes use of chord interactions in order to authenticate a user. With our technique, users are not asked to enter a number password or a PIN to log in a service. Instead, users are asked to consequently tap the appropriate number of fingers on a multi-touch screen. As it is shown, authentication with a chord interaction technique is simple and has some advantages that make it more appropriate for a number of applications. Early observations show that the presented technique protects the users more effectively from "shoulder surfing" compared to the traditional PIN entry, due to its integral characteristics of reducing visibility by hiding fingers and subdividing action.