Method and system for the secure communication of data

A method of performing user-verification comprising the steps of:

• transmitting to a user communication device from a user verification system a signal related to clock time;
• transmitting from said user communication device to said user verification system, a signal characteristic of a verbal response of a user of said user communication device;
• determining if said signal characteristic of a verbal response includes said signal related to clock time previously transmitted from said user verification system;
• and
• processing the results of said determining step and at least one other determination to determine if said user is an authorized user.

A method of using a user-authentication system to perform password sufficiency screening comprising:

• receiving a signal at a verification system representing a passphrase stated by a user;
• determining whether an impairment adversely affecting said signal exists in said communications medium;
• determining if an audio characteristic of said passphrase stated by a user satisfies predetermined criteria, wherein said predetermined criteria is adjusted in response to the existence of an impairment in said communications medium;
• and
• validating said passphrase if said passphrase stated by a user satisfies said predetermined criteria.

A method for performing user-verification comprising:

• transmitting from a user device a plurality of tone signals, said plurality of tone signals representing a telephone number;
• receiving said plurality of tone signals at a user-verification system;
• comparing said plurality of tone signals with stored tone signals previously received, said stored tone signals representing telephone numbers previously used by said user-device;
• determining if said plurality of tone signals match said stored tone signals;
• and
• determining whether a user is an authorized user in response to a match between said plurality of tone signals and said stored tone signals.

A method for performing user verification comprising:

• obtaining a user's electronic verification file in response to a signal received from a user device, said file comprising data relating to at least one recorded passphrase and data identifying the user;
• prompting said user to speak a passphrase into a microphone;
• receiving signals relating to said passphrase at said user verification system;
• retrieving data relating to prior receipt of signals relating to said passphrase;
• creating a predetermined degree of match in response to said data relating to prior receipt of said signals relating to said passphrase;
• determining a degree of match between said data relating to said recorded passphrase and said signals relating to said passphrase;
• and
• comparing said degree of match with said predetermined degree of match.

A method of performing user verification comprising:

• transmitting tone signals from a user device in communication with a user verification system;
• receiving tone signals at said user verification system, said tone signals representing a number transmitted to reach said user verification system;
• determining a security level associated with said number;
• determining whether a degree of noise accompanies said tone signals;
• and
• adjusting a stringency requirement for user verification in response to said security level or said degree of noise.

A user-verification system comprising:

• a storage module storing identifying data relating to a user, said identifying data comprising a plurality of characteristics identifying said user;
• a processor communicating a query signal to a transmitter;
• said transmitter in communication with said processor transmitting said query signal to the user, said query signal comprising a prompt to the user to answer a question relating to one of said plurality characteristics;
• a receiver receiving user-stated information responsive to said query signal;
• an analyzer in communication with said receiver, comparing said user-stated information with said one of said plurality of characteristics;
• and
• a repeater in communication with said analyzer, assigning said one of said plurality of characteristics for a repetition in a successive query signal when said user-stated information does not match said one of said plurality of characteristics.