Abstract: A method of host-directed illumination for verifying the validity of biometric data of a user is provided that includes capturing biometric data from a user with an authentication device during authentication and directing illumination of the biometric data from a host authentication system during the capturing operation. Moreover, the method includes comparing illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data against illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation, and determining that the user is a live user when the illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data match the illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation.

Abstract: A method of host-directed illumination for verifying the validity of biometric data of a user is provided that includes capturing biometric data from a user with an authentication device during authentication and directing illumination of the biometric data from a host authentication system during the capturing operation. Moreover, the method includes comparing illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data against illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation, and determining that the user is a live user when the illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data match the illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation.

Abstract: A method of host-directed illumination for verifying the validity of biometric data of a user is provided that includes capturing biometric data from a user with an authentication device during authentication and directing illumination of the biometric data from a host authentication system during the capturing operation. Moreover, the method includes comparing illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data against illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation, and determining that the user is a live user when the illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data match the illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation.

Abstract: A method for ensuring that an individual is authorized to conduct an activity is provided. The method includes conducting, using a processor, an authentication transaction with authentication data captured from an individual desiring to conduct an activity, and determining whether the captured authentication data is legitimate when the individual is successfully authenticated. Moreover, the method includes determining the individual is authorized to conduct the activity when the captured authentication data is legitimate, and conducting, using the processor, a subsequent authentication transaction with authentication data captured from the individual at a subsequent time.

Abstract: A method of host-directed illumination for verifying the validity of biometric data of a user is provided that includes capturing biometric data from a user with an authentication device during authentication and directing illumination of the biometric data from a host authentication system during the capturing operation. Moreover, the method includes comparing illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data against illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation, and determining that the user is a live user when the illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data match the illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation.

Abstract: A method of host-directed illumination for verifying the validity of biometric data of a user is provided that includes capturing biometric data from a user with an authentication device during authentication and directing illumination of the biometric data from a host authentication system during the capturing operation. Moreover, the method includes comparing illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data against illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation, and determining that the user is a live user when the illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data match the illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation.

Abstract: A method for capturing image data of a user is provided that includes displaying, by a computing device, a perspective view of a virtual computing device. Moreover, the method includes changing, by the computing device, the perspective view of the virtual computing device while the computing device moves, changing, by the computing device, the display of the virtual computing device to provide notification that the computing device is in an acceptable position for capturing image data of a user, and capturing, by a camera included in the computing device, facial image data of the user.

Abstract: A method for ensuring that an individual is authorized to conduct an activity is provided. The method includes conducting, using a processor, an authentication transaction with authentication data captured from an individual desiring to conduct an activity, and determining whether the captured authentication data is legitimate when the individual is successfully authenticated. Moreover, the method includes determining the individual is authorized to conduct the activity when the captured authentication data is legitimate, and conducting, using the processor, a subsequent authentication transaction with authentication data captured from the individual at a subsequent time.

Abstract: A method for ensuring that an individual is authorized to conduct an activity is provided. The method includes conducting, using a processor, an authentication transaction with authentication data captured from an individual desiring to conduct an activity, and determining whether the captured authentication data is legitimate when the individual is successfully authenticated. Moreover, the method includes determining the individual is authorized to conduct the activity when the captured authentication data is legitimate, and conducting, using the processor, a subsequent authentication transaction with authentication data captured from the individual at a subsequent time.

Abstract: A method of host-directed illumination for verifying the validity of biometric data of a user is provided that includes capturing biometric data from a user with an authentication device during authentication and directing illumination of the biometric data from a host authentication system during the capturing operation. Moreover, the method includes comparing illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data against illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation, and determining that the user is a live user when the illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data match the illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation.

Abstract: A method of capturing biometric data is provided that includes activating a security application in a device. The security application is activated by an operator of the device and is configured to cause the device to display an outline image. Moreover, the method includes displaying the outline image in a stationary position on a display of the device, positioning desired biometric data proximate the device such that the desired biometric data appears as a biometric image on the device display, and monitoring the outline and biometric images shown on the device display. Furthermore, the method includes positioning the device and the desired biometric data to better align the outline and biometric images when the outline and biometric images do not align and capturing the desired biometric data from an individual after approximately aligning the outline image with the biometric image.

Abstract: A method for capturing image data of a user is provided that includes displaying, by a computing device, a perspective view of a virtual computing device. Moreover, the method includes changing, by the computing device, the perspective view of the virtual computing device while the computing device moves, changing, by the computing device, the display of the virtual computing device to provide notification that the computing device is in an acceptable position for capturing image data of a user, and capturing, by a camera included in the computing device, facial image data of the user.

Abstract: A method of host-directed illumination for verifying the validity of biometric data of a user is provided that includes capturing biometric data from a user with an authentication device during authentication and directing illumination of the biometric data from a host authentication system during the capturing operation. Moreover, the method includes comparing illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data against illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation, and determining that the user is a live user when the illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data match the illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation.

Abstract: A method of authenticating users to reduce transaction risks includes indicating a desire to conduct a transaction and determining whether the transaction requires access to protected resources. Moreover, the method determines whether inputted information is known, determines a state of a communications device when the inputted information is known, and transmits a biometric authentication request from a server to an authentication system when the state of the communications device is enrolled.

Abstract: A method of capturing biometric data is provided that includes activating a security application in a device. The security application is activated by an operator of the device and is configured to cause the device to display an outline image. Moreover, the method includes displaying the outline image in a stationary position on a display of the device, positioning desired biometric data proximate the device such that the desired biometric data appears as a biometric image on the device display, and monitoring the outline and biometric images shown on the device display. Furthermore, the method includes positioning the device and the desired biometric data to better align the outline and biometric images when the outline and biometric images do not align and capturing the desired biometric data from an individual after approximately aligning the outline image with the biometric image.

Abstract: A method of host-directed illumination for verifying the validity of biometric data of a user is provided that includes capturing biometric data from a user with an authentication device during authentication and directing illumination of the biometric data from a host authentication system during the capturing operation. Moreover, the method includes comparing illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data against illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation, and determining that the user is a live user when the illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data match the illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation.

Abstract: A method of capturing biometric data is provided that includes activating a security application in a device. The security application is activated by an operator of the device and is configured to cause the device to display an outline image. Moreover, the method includes displaying the outline image in a stationary position on a display of the device, positioning desired biometric data proximate the device such that the desired biometric data appears as a biometric image on the device display, and monitoring the outline and biometric images shown on the device display. Furthermore, the method includes positioning the device and the desired biometric data to better align the outline and biometric images when the outline and biometric images do not align and capturing the desired biometric data from an individual after approximately aligning the outline image with the biometric image.

Abstract: A method for ensuring that an individual is authorized to conduct an activity is provided. The method includes conducting, using a processor, an authentication transaction with authentication data captured from an individual desiring to conduct an activity, and determining whether the captured authentication data is legitimate when the individual is successfully authenticated. Moreover, the method includes determining the individual is authorized to conduct the activity when the captured authentication data is legitimate, and conducting, using the processor, a subsequent authentication transaction with authentication data captured from the individual at a subsequent time.

Abstract: A method of host-directed illumination for verifying the validity of biometric data of a user is provided that includes capturing biometric data from a user with an authentication device during authentication and directing illumination of the biometric data from a host authentication system during the capturing operation. Moreover, the method includes comparing illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data against illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation, and determining that the user is a live user when the illumination characteristics of the captured biometric data match the illumination characteristics expected to result from the directing operation.

Abstract: A method for ensuring that an individual is authorized to conduct an activity is provided. The method includes conducting, using a processor, an authentication transaction with authentication data captured from an individual desiring to conduct an activity, and determining whether the captured authentication data is legitimate when the individual is successfully authenticated. Moreover, the method includes determining the individual is authorized to conduct the activity when the captured authentication data is legitimate, and conducting, using the processor, a subsequent authentication transaction with authentication data captured from the individual at a subsequent time.