[IxDA Discuss] Any Usability Test on 2-factor Authentication?

[Alexander Baxevanis]

To be fair, just noticed in their website that they do offer such a
device in the format of the USB stick, which links up with computer
software to automatically read & enter the code.

But given that these devices are often issued to hundreds of
employees, I doubt if a lot of companies would pay the extra cost to
offer the USB model.

On 8/16/07, Alexander Baxevanis <alex.baxevanis at gmail.com> wrote:
> The main usability issue that I've faced is the fact that the number
> is set to change every minute (of course, this is part of the
> security). Sometimes it happens that the login process takes a while
> (e.g. when logging in to a corporate VPN using a slow connection) and
> the number is about to change, so by the time my login details are
> validated, the number is no longer valid and I have to repeat this
> process.
>
> By the way, I have something called a "software token", i.e. a piece
> of software that runs on my laptop and shows this number, which allows
> me to copy/paste the number into a text field. I can imagine the
> problem I describe could happen more often if you actually have to
> type the numbers reading them from a small LCD screen.
>
> Speaking of small LCD screens (which I don't think have got any
> backlight?) there can be alls sorts of readability issues that could
> make copying the numbers much slower.
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Alex
>
> On 8/15/07, Shima Kazerooni <shkazerooni at yahoo.com> wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > I am doing a research about two-factor authentication (those device generated numbers that are used along with user name and password for logging in to a computer or website).  For example, RSA has the following devices and software:
> >
> > http://www.rsa.com/products/securid/datasheets/SID_DS_0307.pdf
> >
> > I was wondering if anybody knows about any usability test/research done on that. Has the number that is generated and displayed on the device created any anxiety for the users?
> >
> > Thank you,
> > Shima
> >
> >
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