Personal identification over the Internet

Web-based services occupy a special place in our lives. We are used to internet banking systems and the electronic tax board. However, the time of the code cards used for personal identification is about to end and such code systems will be replaced by the ID-card.

Users of the Estonian ID-card share the same level of military security that is commonplace in the US Department of Defence, for example. Cards that are similar to the Estonian ID-card are used in almost all security oriented companies in the world – ranging from Hansabank to Microsoft.

There is no need to remember different user names and passwords anymore, you can also give up the use of all code cards and PIN calculators that a bank has given you. Although your username and password may be different for various services, the ID-card requires you to enter the same PIN in all situations.

In order to log onto various systems with your ID-card, you need to know the PIN of the card and you must physically have the card at your hand. Security specialists call it the “two-factor authentication”. Unless a felon knows your PIN, he or she cannot use your ID-card. A felon also cannot use the PIN without physically having your ID-card.

If you use passwords or code cards and passwords for your identification however, it is enough for the criminal just to steal these data. He or she does not need to have your code card physically at hand. Therefore, such one-factor authentication system is significantly less secure.

Viimati uuendatud: 05.06.2007