A system and method for enhancing passwords, access codes, and personal identification numbers by making them pace, rhythm, or tempo sensitive. The password includes a sequence of characters and an associated timing element. To access a restricted device or function a user enters the correct character sequence according to the correct pace, rhythm, or tempo. The entered sequence and timing element are compared with stored values and access is granted only if the entered and stored values match. In an alternative embodiment the stored timing element is set, and periodically altered, by a computer or program without consent from the user and visual, auditory, and/or tactile prompts indicate the correct timing element to the user during the authentication process. The meaning of the prompts are provided to the user in advance.