Which one of the following authentication mechanisms creates a problem for mobile users?

Which one of the following authentication mechanisms creates a problem for mobile users?
A .  Mechanisms based on IP addresses
B .  Mechanism with reusable passwords
C .  One-time password mechanism.
D .  Challenge response mechanism.

View Answer

Answer: A

Explanation: Anything based on a fixed IP address would be a problem for mobile users because their location and its associated IP address can change from one time to the next. Many providers will assign a new IP every time the device would be restarted. For example an insurance adjuster using a laptop to file claims online. He goes to a different client each time and the address changes every time he connects to the ISP.

NOTE FROM CLEMENT:

The term MOBILE in this case is synonymous with Road Warriors where a user is constantly traveling and changing location. With smartphone today that may not be an issue but it would be an issue for laptops or WIFI tablets. Within a carrier network the IP will tend to be the same and would change rarely. So this question is more applicable to devices that are not cellular devices but in some cases this issue could affect cellular devices as well.

The following answers are incorrect: Mechanism with reusable password. This is incorrect because reusable password mechanism would not present a problem for mobile users. They are the least secure and change only at specific interval one-time password mechanism. This is incorrect because a one-time password mechanism would not present a problem for mobile users. Many are based on a clock and not on the IP address of the user Challenge response mechanism. This is incorrect because challenge response mechanism would not present a problem for mobile users.