Human id for mobile authentication

A method to authenticate a user of a computing device, the method comprising:

• obtaining from a first sensor coupled to the computing device a first representation of a physical characteristic of the user;
• comparing by an authentication processor of the computing device the first representation of the physical characteristic of the user to a second representation of the physical characteristic of the user, the second representation of the physical characteristic of the user being obtained prior to the first representation of the physical characteristic of the user;
• enabling by the authentication processor a first level of access to the computing device based on the first representation of the physical characteristic of the user matching the second representation of the physical characteristic of the user;
• obtaining from a second sensor coupled to the computing device a first representation of a liveness characteristic of the user, the liveness characteristic indicating that the user is alive;
• comparing by the authentication processor the first representation of the liveness characteristic of the user to a second representation of the liveness characteristic of the user, the second representation of the liveness characteristic of the user being obtained prior to the first representation of the liveness characteristic of the user;
• and
• enabling by the authentication processor a second level of access to the computing device based on the first representation of the liveness characteristic of the user matching the second representation of the liveness characteristic of the user, the second level of access to the computing device being greater that the first level of access to the computing device.