A system and method that uses authentication inkblots to help computer
system users first select and later recall authentication information
from high entropy information spaces. An inkblot authentication module
generates authentication inkblots from authentication inkblot seeds. On
request, a security authority generates, stores and supplies an
authentication inkblot seed set for a user. In response to an
authentication inkblot, a user inputs one or more alphanumeric
characters. The responses to one or more authentication inkblots serve as
authentication information. A user-computable hash of the natural
language description of the authentication inkblot is utilized to speed
authentication information entry and provide for compatibility with
conventional password-based authentication. Authentication with an
authentication information match ratio of less than 100% is possible.
Authentication inkblot generation methods are disclosed, as well as a
detailed inkblot authentication protocol which makes it difficult for
users to opt-out of high entropy authentication information generation.