DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PRODUCT AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM USING BARCODE

1.1 Introduction

Barcode is most widely used method of identifying the product code of any object. It is universally accepted as fastest and cheapest method in product identification. It encodes a series of characters and symbols which carries both explicit information and database key. Product authentication is the process of establishing confidence in user identities electronically presented to an information system. Digital authentication, or e-authentication, may be used synonymously when referring to the authentication process that confirms or certifies a person's identity and works. When used in conjunction with an electronic signature, it can provide evidence of whether data received has been tampered with after being signed by its original sender. Electronic authentication can reduce the risk of fraud and identity theft by verifying that a person is who they say they are when performing transactions online (Wikipedia, 2021).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

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1.2 Background of Study

Authentication of identity is very critical task in various security related applications such as e-commerce. This can be implemented using various methods and techniques. Biometric is becoming one of these techniques for authentication. Various security systems after realizing the value of Biometrics use it for Verification (online process) and Identification (offline process) of users. For different application we have different biometrics. Biometric features cannot be borrowed, forgotten, stolen and forging is also practically not possible so it is most secure and convenient way of authentication. Every individual has some unique features and biometric security is based on these features. Fingerprints, Hand Geometry, Palm prints, Retina, Iris and Facial features are some of the common biometric properties. There are some additional behavioral biometric properties like signature, voice, keystroke pattern, and gait and among this class signature and voice are most developed.

In the old system, paper credentials were used which are documents that attest to the identity or other attributes of an individual or entity called the subject of the credentials. Some common paper credentials include passports, birth certificates, driver's licenses, and employee identity cards. The credentials themselves are authenticated in a variety of ways: traditionally perhaps by a signature or a seal, special papers and inks, high quality engraving, and today by more complex mechanisms, such as holograms, that make the credentials recognizable and difficult to copy or forge. In some cases, simple possession of the credentials is sufficient to establish that the physical holder of the credentials is indeed the subject of the credentials. More commonly, the credentials contain biometric information such as the subject's description, a picture of the subject or the handwritten signature of the subject that can be used to authenticate that the holder of the credentials is indeed the subject of the credentials. When these paper credentials are presented in-person, authentication biometrics contained in those credentials can be checked to confirm that the physical holder of the credential is the subject (Wikipedia, 2021).

Barcodes are used almost in every business scenario especially in selling and purchasing of products. No other process is as easy to be implementing as Barcodes. This is a cheep process and provides efficiency and accuracy. Barcode is developed to fulfill increasing need of organizations to find an automatic and secure way of product identification and to reduce the cost of operation of manual system. In the current scenario when every system including web- based environment, shops, malls and cinema halls are dealing with heavy population for sales and purchase, Barcodes are answer to every problem and apart from manual system, it consist of security features like exact product identification, speed of operation and efficiency. Thus, Barcodes are effective, efficient, practical, cost saving and easily installable procedure.

Lately, client side attacks on online banking and electronic commerce are on the rise due to inadequate security awareness amongst end users. As a result, end user would not be aware if there is vulnerability on their machine or platform that might lead to client side attack. The password remains the most popular authentication mechanism in use today. In order to complete any web-based transaction exchange, the online user will be required to enter his/her password into an online system.

As technological advances continue to influence the way society makes payment for goods and services, the requirement for more advanced security approaches for transaction verification in the online environment increases.

In order to mitigate these security issues, this proposed dissertation proffers a solution to the problem by integrating different authentications and methods to provide an improved and secure online transaction between the client and the server. The thesis introduces an anti-form grabbing technique which disallows the attacker from “grabbing” sensitive information and modifying it when they are being sent to the server by the client and also protects the web contents. rough The system also minimizes the risk of online attacks by using Barcode, a password that is valid for only one login session or transaction within a limited time along with the use of Email as a different verification channel. This research work therefore intends to develop a Product Authentication System using Barcode.

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1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that every system including web-based environment, shops, malls and cinema halls are dealing with heavy population for sales and purchase, Barcodes are answer to every problem and apart from manual system, it consist of security features like exact product identification, speed of operation and efficiency. Thus, Barcodes are effective, efficient, practical, cost saving and easily installable procedure.

Barcodes are used almost in every business scenario especially in selling and purchasing of products. No other process is as easy to be implementing as Barcodes. This is a cheap process and provides efficiency and accuracy. Barcode is developed to fulfill increasing need of organizations to find an automatic and secure way of product identification and to reduce the cost of operation of manual system.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to design and implement a Product Authentication System using Barcode. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to design and develop an application software that will:

1. Provide an anti-form grabbing technique to encode the user inputs as they are being entered.
2. Implement a product authentication mechanism using Barcode.
3. Provide a medium that make use of Barcode from the server for product identity verification.
4. Provide a Barcode algorithm to authenticate the user.

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1.5 Significance of Study

The findings will be of great importance to researcher who intends to carry out study in similar topic as the study will serve as a reference point. Finally, the study will be of significance to academia, students, lecturers and the general public as the findings will also contribute to the pool of knowledge.

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1.6 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the design and Implementation of Product Authentication System using barcode.

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1.7 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).

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1.8 Definition of Terms

To fully understand what the study is all about, important and dispensable terms have been chosen and due definition given to them.

1. Customers- a party that receives or consumes products (goods or services) and has the ability to choose between different products and suppliers.
2. Computerized – equipping something with or the usage of and associated automation by computers and software.