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Reference.org
Authenticator
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<p>An authenticator is a means used to confirm a user's identity, that is, to perform digital authentication. A person authenticates to a computer system or application by demonstrating that he or she has possession and control of an authenticator. In the simplest case, the authenticator is a common <a href="/facts/Password/WEoul230">password</a>. </p><p>Using the terminology of the NIST Digital Identity Guidelines, the party to be authenticated is called the <i>claimant</i> while the party verifying the identity of the claimant is called the <i>verifier</i>. When the claimant successfully demonstrates possession and control of one or more authenticators to the verifier through an established authentication protocol, the verifier is able to infer the claimant's identity. </p>