Webopedia Term of the Day: What is RSA Secure ID?

"RSA SecurID ("SecurID") is a two-factor authentication technology that is used to protect network resources. The authentication is based on two factors -- something you know (a password or PIN) and something you have (an authenticator). The authenticator is typically a hardware token (such as a USB token, smart card or key fob) and the software token is the RSA Authentication Manager Software that provides the security engine used to verify authentication requests.

"How RSA Secure ID Works: When a user attempts to access a protected resource, he is prompted for a unique passcode. The passcode is a combination of their user's PIN and the code that is displayed on the authenticator token at the time of log in.

"The user ID and pass code are intercepted by the RSA Authentication Agent and presented to the RSA Authentication Manager software which validates the pass code. The RSA SecurID system computes what number the token is supposed to be showing at that moment in time, checks it against what the user entered, and makes the decision to allow or deny access."

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