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: An individual data unit for enhancing the security of a user data record is provided that includes a processor and a memory configured to store data. The individual data unit is associated with a network and the memory is in communication with the processor. The memory has instructions stored thereon which, when read and executed by the processor cause the individual data unit to perform basic operations only. The basic operations include communicating securely with computing devices, computer systems, and a central user data server. Moreover, the basic operations include receiving a user data record, storing the user data record, retrieving the user data record, and transmitting the user data record. The individual data unit can be located in a geographic location associated with the user which can be different than the geographic locations of the computer systems and the central user data server.

Abstract: An individual data unit for enhancing the security of a user data record is provided that includes a processor and a memory configured to store data. The individual data unit is associated with a network and the memory is in communication with the processor. The memory has instructions stored thereon which, when read and executed by the processor cause the individual data unit to perform basic operations only. The basic operations include communicating securely with computing devices, computer systems, and a central user data server. Moreover, the basic operations include receiving a user data record, storing the user data record, retrieving the user data record, and transmitting the user data record. The individual data unit can be located in a geographic location associated with the user which can be different than the geographic locations of the computer systems and the central user data server.

Abstract: An individual data unit for enhancing the security of a user data record is provided that includes a processor and a memory configured to store data. The individual data unit is associated with a network and the memory is in communication with the processor. The memory has instructions stored thereon which, when read and executed by the processor cause the individual data unit to perform basic operations only. The basic operations include communicating securely with computing devices, computer systems, and a central user data server. Moreover, the basic operations include receiving a user data record, storing the user data record, retrieving the user data record, and transmitting the user data record. The individual data unit can be located in a geographic location associated with the user which can be different than the geographic locations of the computer systems and the central user data server.

Abstract: An individual data unit for enhancing the security of a user data record is provided that includes a processor and a memory configured to store data. The individual data unit is associated with a network and the memory is in communication with the processor. The memory has instructions stored thereon which, when read and executed by the processor cause the individual data unit to perform basic operations only. The basic operations include communicating securely with computing devices, computer systems, and a central user data server. Moreover, the basic operations include receiving a user data record, storing the user data record, retrieving the user data record, and transmitting the user data record. The individual data unit can be located in a geographic location associated with the user which can be different than the geographic locations of the computer systems and the central user data server.

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: An individual data unit for enhancing the security of a user data record is provided that includes a processor and a memory configured to store data. The individual data unit is associated with a network and the memory is in communication with the processor. The memory has instructions stored thereon which, when read and executed by the processor cause the individual data unit to perform basic operations only. The basic operations include communicating securely with computing devices, computer systems, and a central user data server. Moreover, the basic operations include receiving a user data record, storing the user data record, retrieving the user data record, and transmitting the user data record. The individual data unit can be located in a geographic location associated with the user which can be different than the geographic locations of the computer systems and the central user data server.

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: An individual data unit for enhancing the security of a user data record is provided that includes a processor and a memory configured to store data. The individual data unit is associated with a network and the memory is in communication with the processor. The memory has instructions stored thereon which, when read and executed by the processor cause the individual data unit to perform basic operations only. The basic operations include communicating securely with computing devices, computer systems, and a central user data server. Moreover, the basic operations include receiving a user data record, storing the user data record, retrieving the user data record, and transmitting the user data record. The individual data unit can be located in a geographic location associated with the user which can be different than the geographic locations of the computer systems and the central user data server.

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: An individual data unit for enhancing the security of a user data record is provided that includes a processor and a memory configured to store data. The individual data unit is associated with a network and the memory is in communication with the processor. The memory has instructions stored thereon which, when read and executed by the processor cause the individual data unit to perform basic operations only. The basic operations include communicating securely with computing devices, computer systems, and a central user data server. Moreover, the basic operations include receiving a user data record, storing the user data record, retrieving the user data record, and transmitting the user data record. The individual data unit can be located in a geographic location associated with the user which can be different than the geographic locations of the computer systems and the central user data server.

Abstract: An individual data unit for enhancing the security of a user data record is provided that includes a processor and a memory configured to store data. The individual data unit is associated with a network and the memory is in communication with the processor. The memory has instructions stored thereon which, when read and executed by the processor cause the individual data unit to perform basic operations only. The basic operations include communicating securely with computing devices, computer systems, and a central user data server. Moreover, the basic operations include receiving a user data record, storing the user data record, retrieving the user data record, and transmitting the user data record. The individual data unit can be located in a geographic location associated with the user which can be different than the geographic locations of the computer systems and the central user data server.

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: An individual data unit for enhancing the security of a user data record is provided that includes a processor and a memory configured to store data. The individual data unit is associated with a network and the memory is in communication with the processor. The memory has instructions stored thereon which, when read and executed by the processor cause the individual data unit to perform basic operations only. The basic operations include communicating securely with computing devices, computer systems, and a central user data server. Moreover, the basic operations include receiving a user data record, storing the user data record, retrieving the user data record, and transmitting the user data record. The individual data unit can be located in a geographic location associated with the user which can be different than the geographic locations of the computer systems and the central user data server.

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.