Physical Interaction Style Based User Authentication for Mobile Computing Devices

A system, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory, coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores program instructions executable by the processor to:
• receive information identifying a mobile computing device over a network, wherein the mobile computing device has requested access to a resource, and wherein the mobile computing device has a registered user;
• identify the mobile computing device based on the information identifying the mobile computing device;
• receive information regarding a current physical interaction style with respect to the mobile computing device over the network;
• determine a confidence level based on the current physical interaction style, wherein the confidence level indicates a degree of confidence that mobile computing device is currently being operated by the registered user of the mobile computing device;
• grant the mobile computing device access to the resource in response to the confidence level meeting or exceeding a specified threshold value.

A computer implemented method, comprising:

• utilizing a computer to perform:
• receiving information identifying a mobile computing device over a network, wherein the mobile computing device has requested access to a resource, and wherein the mobile computing device has a registered user;
• identifying the mobile computing device based on the information identifying the mobile computing device;
• receiving information regarding a current physical interaction style with respect to the mobile computing device over the network;
• determining a confidence level based on the current physical interaction style, wherein the confidence level indicates a degree of confidence that mobile computing device is currently being operated by the registered user of the mobile computing device;
• and
• granting the mobile computing device access to the resource in response to the confidence level meeting or exceeding a specified threshold value;
• or
• denying the mobile computing device access to the resource in response to the confidence level failing to meet or exceed the specified threshold value.