Hardware Tokens

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A standard hardware token is a small device in the general form factor of a credit card or keychain fob that contains a certificate or unique identifier.

• often called dongles

Complex hardware tokens incorporate LCDs, keypads, biometric readers, wireless devices, and additional features to enhance security.

• Many hardware tokens contain an internal clock that generates a code based on the device’s unique identifier, an input PIN or password, and other potential factors
  • Code is usually output to a display and changes every 30 seconds
  • the system can predict what the proper output will be at any give time in order to authenticate the user

Simple hardware tokens represent only the something you have factor.

Sophisticated hardware tokens could represent something you know or something you are factors as well.