  Emerging technology demands reliable authentication mechanisms, particularly
in interconnected systems. Current systems rely on a single moment of
authentication, however continuous authentication systems assess a users
identity utilizing a constant biometric analysis. Spy Hunter, a continuous
authentication mechanism uses keystroke dynamics to validate users over blocks
of data. This easily-incorporated periodic biometric authentication system
validates genuine users and detects intruders quickly. Because it verifies
users in the background, Spy Hunter is not constrained to a password box.
Instead, it is flexible and can be layered with other mechanisms to provide
high-level security. Where other continuous authentication techniques rely on
scripted typing, Spy Hunter validates over free text in authentic environments.
This is accomplished in two phases, one where the user is provided a prompt and
another where the user is allowed free access to their computer. Additionally,
Spy Hunter focuses on the timing of different keystrokes rather than the
specific key being pressed. This allows for anonymous data to authenticate
users and avoids holding personal data. Utilizing a couple K-fold
cross-validation techniques, Spy Hunter is assessed based on how often the
system falsely accepts an intruder, how often the system falsely rejects a
genuine user, and the time it takes to validate a users identity. Spy Hunter
maintains error rates below 6% and identifies users in minimal numbers of
keystrokes. Continuous authentication provides higher level security than
one-time verification processes and Spy Hunter expands on the possibilities for
behavioral analysis based on keystroke dynamics.
