Abstract:
An approach is provided for securely authenticating an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction. A request for a biometric identifier/security question is converted to a first Quick Response (QR) code. Based on user attributes and a request from the user&#39;s mobile device to a computer to initiate the transaction, the first QR code is disassembled into first and second portions. The first portion, but not the second portion, is sent to the mobile device. Responsive to the mobile device reassembling the first QR code, receiving and converting the biometric identifier/answer to the security question to a second QR code, disassembling the second QR code into first and second portions, and transmitting the first portion of the second QR code to the computer, the second QR code is reassembled. The transaction is authorized based on whether the biometric identifier/answer matches a data repository record.

Description:
This application is a continuation application claiming priority to Ser. No. 14/597,827 filed Jan. 15, 2015. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to managing an electronic transaction, and more particularly to securely authenticating an identity of a party to an electronic transaction. 
     BACKGROUND 
     With the advent of mobile device-based payments and new online fraud patterns, authentication of an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction over the Internet has become more challenging. Forms of identity authentication include security questions and biometric identifiers (e.g., fingerprints). The security of identify authentication is vulnerable because attackers capture and log wireless network traffic that includes transmissions of security questions, answers to security questions, biometric identifiers and requests for particular biometric identifiers. After being unlawfully captured or captured without permission from the parties to the transaction, information needed to authenticate an identity is used to perform fraudulent transactions. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In a first embodiment, the present invention provides a method of securely authenticating an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction with an enterprise. The method includes a computer receiving a request from a mobile device of the user to initiate the electronic transaction and receiving information that specifies attributes of the user and the request. The method further includes the computer selecting a request for a biometric identifier or a security question to authenticate the identity of the user. The method further includes the computer converting the selected request for the biometric identifier or the security question to a first complete Quick Response (QR) code. The method further includes based on the information that specifies the attributes of the user and the request, the computer disassembling the first complete QR code into first and second portions of the first complete QR code. The first portion of the first complete QR code is selected by a QR code disassembly algorithm. The first and second portions of the first complete QR code do not have an element in common. The method further includes the computer sending to the mobile device the first portion of the first complete QR code, but not the second portion of the first complete QR code, which prevents an entity other than the user and the enterprise from obtaining the request for the biometric identifier or the security question by capturing network traffic that includes the electronic transaction. 
     In a first aspect of the present invention, the method further includes in response to a scan of the first portion of the first complete QR code by the mobile device, a reassembly of the first complete QR code by the mobile device which employs the first portion of the first complete QR code and a QR code assembly algorithm, a display by the mobile device of the request for the biometric identifier or the security question, a receipt by the mobile device of the biometric identifier or an answer to the security question, a conversion of the biometric identifier or the answer to the security question to a second complete QR code, a disassembly of the second complete QR code into first and second portions of the second complete QR code by employing the QR code disassembly algorithm, and a transmission of the first portion of the second complete QR code from the mobile device to the computer, the computer reassembling the second complete QR code by employing the QR code assembly algorithm and the first portion of the second complete QR code, which prevents the entity other than the user and the enterprise from obtaining the biometric identifier or the answer to the security question by capturing the network traffic that includes the electronic transaction. 
     In a second aspect of the present invention, the method further includes the computer extracting the biometric identifier or the answer to the security question from the second complete QR code. The method further includes the computer determining whether the extracted biometric identifier or the answer to the security question matches a record in a data repository that includes biometric identifiers or answers to security questions. The method further includes if the extracted biometric identifier or the extracted answer to the security question matches the record in the data repository, the computer authorizing the electronic transaction or if the extracted biometric identifier or the extracted answer to the security question does not match any record in the data repository, the computer indicating the electronic transaction is not authorized. 
     In a third aspect of the present invention, the reassembly of the first complete QR code by the mobile device is performed in response to the mobile device generating a plurality of initial potential QR codes of a plurality of requests for biometric identifiers or a plurality of security questions. The reassembly of the first complete QR code by the mobile device is performed further in response to the mobile device deleting portions of the respective initial potential QR codes by employing the QR code disassembly algorithm and the information that specifies the attributes of the user and the request, where each of the deleted portions matches a shape of the first portion of the first complete QR code. The reassembly of the first complete QR code by the mobile device is performed further in response to the mobile device generating new potential QR codes by filling in the deleted portions with the first portion of the first complete QR code. The reassembly of the first complete QR code by the mobile device is performed further in response to the mobile device determining that one of the new potential QR codes matches one of the initial potential QR codes in the plurality of initial potential QR codes. The reassembly of the first complete QR code by the mobile device is performed further in response to, based on the one new potential QR code matching one of the initial potential QR codes, the mobile device determining the one new potential QR code is the reassembly of the first complete QR code. 
     In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the step of reassembling the second complete QR code by employing the QR code assembly algorithm and the first portion of the second complete QR code includes the computer generating a plurality of initial potential QR codes of a plurality of biometric identifiers or a plurality of answers to the security questions. The step of reassembling the second complete QR code by employing the QR code assembly algorithm and the first portion of the second complete QR code further includes the computer deleting portions of the respective initial potential QR codes by employing the QR code disassembly algorithm and information that specifies the attributes of the user and the transmission of the first portion of the second complete QR code, where each of the deleted portions matches a shape of the first portion of the second complete QR code. The step of reassembling the second complete QR code by employing the QR code assembly algorithm and the first portion of the second complete QR code further includes the computer generating new potential QR codes by filling in the deleted portions with the first portion of the second complete QR code; the computer determining that one of the new potential QR codes matches one of the initial potential QR codes in the plurality of initial potential QR codes. The step of reassembling the second complete QR code by employing the QR code assembly algorithm and the first portion of the second complete QR code further includes based on the one new potential QR code matching one of the initial potential QR codes, the mobile device determining the one new potential QR code is a reassembly of the second complete QR code. 
     In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the step of receiving the information that specifies the attributes of the user and the request includes the computer completing a handshake with the mobile device and recording a timestamp of the handshake, where the information that specifies the attributes of the request includes the timestamp, and where the step of disassembling the first complete QR code into the first and second portions of the first complete QR code includes selecting the first portion of the first complete QR code based at least in part on the recorded timestamp. 
     In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the method further includes prior to any transaction between the user and the enterprise, the computer storing a plurality of security questions, receiving from the user and storing a plurality of biometric identifiers of the user or a plurality of answers to the security questions, and generating and storing a plurality of requests for the biometric identifiers. The method further includes subsequent to the step of receiving the request to initiate the electronic transaction, the computer determining the electronic transaction is a banking transaction for an amount of money that exceeds a threshold amount. The method further includes based on the banking transaction being for an amount of money exceeding the threshold amount, the computer utilizing a random number generator which randomly selects the request for the biometric identifier from the plurality of requests for the biometric identifiers or the security question from the plurality of security questions. 
     In a second embodiment, the present invention provides a computer program product including a computer-readable storage device and a computer-readable program code stored in the computer-readable storage device. The computer-readable program code includes instructions that are executed by a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer system to implement a method of securely authenticating an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction with an enterprise. The method includes the computer system receiving a request from a mobile device of the user to initiate the electronic transaction and receiving information that specifies attributes of the user and the request. The method further includes the computer system selecting a request for a biometric identifier or a security question to authenticate the identity of the user. The method further includes the computer system converting the selected request for the biometric identifier or the security question to a first complete Quick Response (QR) code. The method further includes based on the information that specifies the attributes of the user and the request, the computer system disassembling the first complete QR code into first and second portions of the first complete QR code. The first portion of the first complete QR code is selected by a QR code disassembly algorithm. The first and second portions of the first complete QR code do not have an element in common. The method further includes the computer system sending to the mobile device the first portion of the first complete QR code, but not the second portion of the first complete QR code, which prevents an entity other than the user and the enterprise from obtaining the request for the biometric identifier or the security question by capturing network traffic that includes the electronic transaction. 
     In a third embodiment, the present invention provides a method of securely authenticating an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction with an enterprise. The method includes a mobile device of the user sending a request to a server computer of the enterprise to initiate the electronic transaction. The method further includes the mobile device receiving information that specifies attributes of the user and the request to initiate the electronic transaction. The method further includes in response to a selection of a request for a biometric identifier or a security question to authenticate the identity of the user, a conversion of the selected request for the biometric identifier or the security question to a first complete Quick Response (QR) code, a disassembly of the first complete QR code into first and second portions of the first complete QR code by a QR code disassembly algorithm based on the information that specifies the attributes of the user and the request to initiate the electronic transaction, where the first and second portions of the first complete QR code do not have an element in common, the mobile device receiving from the server computer the first portion of the first complete QR code, but not the second portion of the first complete QR code, which prevents an entity other than the user and the enterprise from obtaining the request for the biometric identifier or the security question by capturing network traffic that includes the electronic transaction. 
     Embodiments and aspects of the present invention summarized above provide enhanced security for authentication whenever establishing the identity of a person is critical, such as conducting high value financial transactions, making life altering decisions, managing war heads, etc. Transmission of a portion of a QR code that specifies biographic information or biometric identifiers facilitates prevention of a malicious entity from intercepting the transmission of authentication requests to a mobile device or computer or the transmission of authentication data from a mobile device or computer during an electronic transaction. Embodiments of the present invention can coexist with existing biographic based authentication. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system for securely authenticating an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction with an enterprise, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  depict a flowchart of a process of securely authenticating an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction with an enterprise, where the process is implemented in the system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a computer or mobile device that is included in the system of  FIG. 1  and that implements the process of  FIGS. 2A-2C , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview 
     Embodiments of the present invention sends a portion of a complete QR code during an electronic transaction between a first computer (e.g., mobile device) and a second computer, where the QR code specifies authentication information which authenticates the identity of a user of the first computer. By sending only a portion of the complete QR code, rather than the complete QR code, embodiments of the present invention prevent a malicious entity from (1) intercepting the authentication information or (2) intercepting the complete QR code and deriving the authentication information from the intercepted complete QR code, and subsequently using the authentication information for a fraudulent transaction. 
     System for Secure Authentication of an Identity in an Electronic Transaction 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system  100  for securely authenticating an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction with an enterprise, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. System  100  includes a computer  102  and a mobile device  104 , between which data for electronic transactions is transmitted via a computer network  106 . Computer  102  executes a software-based identity authentication tool  108 , which accesses a data repository  110  that includes biometric identifiers and requests for biometric identifiers  112 , security questions and answers to security questions  114 , and biographical information  116  about a user of mobile device  104  and other users of computers and mobile devices that participate in electronic transactions with computer  102 . Biometric identifiers  112  include, for example, one or more fingerprints of the user of mobile device  104 . Security questions  114  are authenticators used by enterprises such as banks, cable companies and wireless providers to provide an extra layer of security, and include, for example, a question that asks a user the make and model of the user&#39;s first car. Biographical information  116  includes, for example, a user&#39;s date of birth or social security number. 
     Identity authentication tool  108  generates a QR code  118  that specifies one of the requests for biometric identifiers  112  or one of the security questions  114 . Identity authentication tool  108  generates a portion  120  of QR code  118  by applying a disassembly algorithm (not shown) to disassemble QR code  118  into a first portion that is to be transmitted to mobile device  104  and a second portion that is not transmitted to mobile device  104 . The disassembly into the first and second portions is based on at least biographical information  116  and handshake information  122 . Handshake information  122  includes a timestamp of a time at which a handshake occurred between computer  102  and mobile device  104 , where the handshake is required to initiate a transmission of data between computer  102  and mobile device  104  as part of an electronic transaction between a user utilizing mobile device  104  and an enterprise or another user utilizing computer  102 , and where the data is needed for a query for an identity authentication. 
     Identity authentication tool  108  receives a portion of another QR code that specifies a biometric identifier that is a response to one of the requests for biometric identifiers  112  or an answer to a security question that is a response to one of the security questions  114 . The received portion is described below in the discussion of a portion of a QR code generated by mobile device  104 . 
     Mobile device  104  executes a software-based identity authentication tool  158 , which accesses a data repository  160  that includes requests for biometric identifiers  162 , security questions  164 , and biographical information  166  about a user of mobile device  104 , who is participating in an electronic transaction with an enterprise or other user that utilizes computer  102 . The requests for biometric identifiers  162  are included in the requests for the biometric identifiers  112  stored in data repository  110 . Security questions  164  are the one or more security questions corresponding to the user of mobile device  104  (i.e., selected by the user or for the user by the enterprise that utilizes computer  102 ), which are included in security questions  114  stored in data repository  110 . The requests for biometric identifiers  162  and security questions  164  are encrypted by a cryptographic hash function (e.g., the MD5 algorithm). Biographical information  166  is the biographical information corresponding to the user of mobile device  104 , which is included in biographical information  116  and includes, for example, the date of birth or social security number of the user of mobile device  104 . 
     Identity authentication tool  158  receives handshake information  122  and portion  120  of QR code  118  and applies an assembly algorithm (not shown) to reassemble QR code  118  from portion  120  by utilizing biographical information  166  and handshake information  122 , which includes the timestamp of the handshake between computer  102  and mobile device  104  for the transmission of portion  120  from computer  102  to mobile device  104 . From the reassembled QR code  118 , identity authentication tool  158  determines the request for biometric identifier included in requests for biometric identifiers  162  or the security question included in security questions  164 . 
     Identity authentication tool  158  generates a QR code  168  that specifies (1) one of the biometric identifiers  112  which is a user-provided response to one of the requests for biometric identifiers  162 , or (2) one of the answers to security questions  114 , which is a user-provided response to one of the security questions  164 . Identity authentication tool  158  generates a portion  170  of QR code  168  by applying the aforementioned disassembly algorithm (not shown) to disassemble QR code  168  based on at least biographical information  166  and handshake information  172 . Handshake information  172  includes a timestamp of a time at which a handshake occurred between computer  102  and mobile device  104 , where the handshake is required to initiate a transmission of data between computer  102  and mobile device  104  as part of an electronic transaction between a user utilizing mobile device  104  and an enterprise or another user utilizing computer  102 , and where the data is an authenticator (e.g., fingerprint or answer to a security question) provided by a user as a response to a query for an identity authentication. 
     Identity authentication tool  158  sends portion  170  of QR code  168 . Identity authentication tool  108  receives handshake information  172 , receives portion  170 , and applies an assembly algorithm (not shown) to reassemble QR code  168  from portion  170  by utilizing biographical information  116  and handshake information  172 , which includes the timestamp of the handshake between computer  102  and mobile device  104  for the transmission of portion  170  from mobile device  104  to computer  102 . From the reassembled QR code  168 , identity authentication tool  108  determines the biometric identifier included in biometric identifiers  112  or the answer to the security question included in answers to security questions  114 . 
     In one embodiment, one or more computers (not shown) other than mobile device  104  are in communication with computer  102  via network  106 . Each of the one or more computers includes the components that are included in mobile device  104 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, system  100  includes a second computer in communication with computer  102  via network  106 , where the second computer is not a mobile device and replaces mobile device  104  in  FIG. 1 , and where the second computer includes the components shown in  FIG. 1  which are included in mobile device  104 . 
     In one embodiment, mobile device  104  is coupled to a device (not shown) that reads or scans a biometric identifier of the user of mobile device  104 . For example, mobile device  104  is coupled to a fingerprint reader. 
     The functionality of the components of  FIG. 1  is described in more detail in the discussions presented below relative to  FIGS. 2A-2C  and  FIG. 3 . 
     Process for Secure Authentication of an Identity in an Electronic Transaction 
       FIGS. 2A-2C  depict a flowchart of a process of authenticating an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction with an enterprise, where the process is implemented in the system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The process of  FIGS. 2A-2C  begins at step  200  in  FIG. 2A . In step  202 , identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) receives a request from the mobile device  104  (see  FIG. 1 ) of a user to initiate an electronic transaction between computer  102  (see  FIG. 1 ) and mobile device  104  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     In step  204 , identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) and identity authentication tool  158  (see  FIG. 1 ) receive handshake information  122  which specifies attributes of the request to initiate the electronic transaction, including a timestamp of a handshake between computer  102  (see  FIG. 1 ) and mobile device  104  (see  FIG. 1 ), which is required to initiate and authenticate the electronic transaction. In step  204 , identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) also receives attributes of the user, including biographical information of the user. Identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) retrieves the biographical information of the user from biographical information  116  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     In one embodiment, subsequent to step  202  and prior to step  206 , identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) determines the requested electronic transaction is a financial transaction for a monetary amount that exceeds a threshold amount that was received by identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) prior to step  202 . Based on the financial transaction being for a monetary amount that exceeds the threshold amount, identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) performs step  206 , which is described below. 
     In step  206 , identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) selects an authenticator to authenticate the identity of the user in order to authorize the electronic transaction. The authenticator is a request for a biometric identifier selected from requests for biometric identifiers  112  (see  FIG. 1 ) or a security question selected from security questions  114  (see FIG.  1 ). In one embodiment, identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) utilizes a random number generator to randomly select the authenticator. 
     In step  208 , identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) converts the authenticator selected in step  206  to a first complete QR code (i.e., QR code  118  (see  FIG. 1 )). Identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) stores the first complete QR code in association with an identifier of the electronic transaction in data repository  110  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     In step  210 , based on information that specifies attributes of the request received in step  202 , which includes handshake information  122  (see  FIG. 1 ), and based on information that specifies attributes of the user (i.e., biographical information of the user included in biographical information  116  (see  FIG. 1 )), identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) disassembles the first complete QR code into a first portion (i.e., portion  120  (see  FIG. 1 )) selected and designated by a disassembly algorithm and into a second portion, where the first and second portions do not have any elements in common. The first portion is, for example, a defined shape included within the complete QR code. The second portion includes all parts of the complete QR code that were not selected by the disassembly algorithm as the first portion (i.e., the part of the complete QR code that was not designated as the first portion). The disassembly algorithm selects the first portion based at least in part on the timestamp of the handshake between computer  102  (see  FIG. 1 ) and mobile device  104  (see  FIG. 1 ) included in handshake information  122  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     In step  212 , identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) sends the first portion of the first complete QR code, but not the second portion or any part of the second portion, to mobile device  104  (see  FIG. 1 ). By sending only the first portion, system  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) prevents an attacker or other malicious entity from obtaining the request for the biometric identifier or the security question selected in step  206  by intercepting and/or capturing data traffic of network  106 , where the traffic includes transmissions of data for the electronic transaction between computer  102  (see  FIG. 1 ) and mobile device  104  (see  FIG. 1 ). The aforementioned attacker or other malicious entity is an entity other than the user utilizing mobile device  104  (see  FIG. 1 ) and the enterprise or other user utilizing computer  102  (see  FIG. 1 ), and is an entity who does not have permission to intercept the data traffic that includes the electronic transaction. 
     In step  214 , mobile device  104  (see  FIG. 1 ) receives and scans the first portion of the first complete QR code. 
     In step  216 , based on information that specifies attributes of the request received in step  202 , which includes handshake information  122  (see  FIG. 1 ), and based on information that specifies attributes of the user (i.e., biographical information of the user included in biographical information  166  (see  FIG. 1 )), identity authentication tool  158  (see  FIG. 1 ) reassembles the first complete QR code from the first portion (i.e., portion  120  (see  FIG. 1 )) by employing an assembly algorithm. 
     In one embodiment, identity authentication tool  158  (see  FIG. 1 ) employing the assembly algorithm (1) generates multiple initial potential QR codes that specify requests for biometric identifiers  162  (see  FIG. 1 ) or security questions  164  (see  FIG. 1 ); (2) deletes portions of the respective initial potential QR codes by employing the disassembly algorithm and the information that specifies the attributes of the user and the request received in step  202 , where each of the deleted portions matches a shape of the first portion of the first complete QR code; (3) generates new potential QR codes by filling in the deleted portions with the first portion of the first complete QR code; (4) determines that one of the new potential QR codes matches one of the initial potential QR codes; and (5) based on the one new potential QR code matching one of the initial potential QR codes, determines the one new potential QR code is a reassembly of the first complete QR code. 
     In another embodiment, QR codes of the requests for biometric identifiers  162  and security questions  164  are stored in data repository  160 . Identity authentication tool  158  (see  FIG. 1 ) employing the assembly algorithm (1) retrieves from data repository  160  multiple potential QR codes that specify requests for biometric identifiers  162  (see  FIG. 1 ) or security questions  164  (see  FIG. 1 ); (2) obtains portions of the respective potential QR codes by employing the disassembly algorithm and the information received in step  204  that specifies the attributes of the user and the request received in step  202 , where each of the obtained portions matches a shape of the first portion of the first complete QR code; (3) attempts to match the first portion to the obtained portions until a match is identified; and (4) in response to identifying a match, identify the potential QR code that included the obtained portion that matches the first portion and designate the identified potential QR code as the reassembly of the first complete QR code. 
     In step  218  in  FIG. 2B , based on the first complete QR code reassembled in step  216  (see  FIG. 2A ), identity authentication tool  158  (see  FIG. 1 ) determines and displays the request for the biometric identifier or the security question specified by the reassembled first complete QR code. 
     In step  220 , identity authentication tool  158  (see  FIG. 1 ) receives from the user the requested biometric identifier specified by the first complete QR code or an answer to the security question specified by the first complete QR code. 
     In step  222 , identity authentication tool  158  (see  FIG. 1 ) converts the biometric identifier or answer to the security question received in step  220  into a second complete QR code (i.e., QR code  168  (see  FIG. 1 )), which is different from the aforementioned first complete QR code. 
     Prior to step  224 , identity authentication tool  158  (see  FIG. 1 ) initiates a response to complete the authentication of the identity of the user, where the response is a user-provided answer to the authentication request that was determined in step  218 . The initiation of the response to complete the authentication requires a handshake between mobile device  104  (see  FIG. 1 ) and computer  102  (see  FIG. 1 ), which is completed, with the resulting handshake information  172  (see  FIG. 1 ) being received by identity authentication tool  158  (see  FIG. 1 ) and identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ). Handshake information  172  includes a timestamp of the handshake required to initiate the response to complete the authentication. 
     In step  224 , information that specifies attributes of the response to complete the authentication of the identity of the user (i.e., handshake information  172 , including the aforementioned timestamp of the handshake) and based on information that specifies attributes of the user (i.e., biographical information of the user retrieved from biographical information  166  (see  FIG. 1 )), identity authentication tool  158  (see  FIG. 1 ) disassembles the second complete QR code into a first portion (i.e., portion  170  (see  FIG. 1 )) selected and designated by the disassembly algorithm and into a second portion, where the first and second portions do not have any elements in common. The first portion  170  (see  FIG. 1 ) is, for example, a defined shape included within the second complete QR code. The second portion of the second complete QR code includes all parts of the second complete QR code that were not selected by the disassembly algorithm as the first portion (i.e., the part of the second complete QR code that was not designated as the first portion). The disassembly algorithm selects the first portion of the second complete QR code based at least in part on the timestamp of the aforementioned handshake between computer  102  (see  FIG. 1 ) and mobile device  104  (see  FIG. 1 ) included in handshake information  172  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     In step  226 , identity authentication tool  158  (see  FIG. 1 ) sends to computer  102  (see  FIG. 1 ) the first portion of the second complete QR code as a response to the authentication request determined in step  218 , but does not send the second portion or any part of the second portion of the second complete QR code. By sending only the first portion of the second complete QR code, system  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) prevents an attacker or other malicious entity from obtaining the biometric identifier or the answer to the security question received in step  220  by intercepting and/or capturing data traffic of network  106 , where the traffic includes transmissions of data for the electronic transaction between computer  102  (see  FIG. 1 ) and mobile device  104  (see  FIG. 1 ), and prevents a subsequent usage of the intercepted or captured biometric identifier or answer to the security question in a fraudulent transaction. 
     In step  228  in  FIG. 2C , based on information that specifies attributes of the response sent in step  226  (see  FIG. 2B ), which includes the timestamp included in handshake information  172  (see  FIG. 1 ), and based on information that specifies attributes of the user (i.e., biographical information of the user included in biographical information  116  (see  FIG. 1 )), identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) reassembles the second complete QR code from the first portion (i.e., portion  170  (see  FIG. 1 )) by employing the assembly algorithm. 
     In one embodiment, identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) employing the assembly algorithm (1) generates multiple initial potential QR codes that specify biometric identifiers  112  (see  FIG. 1 ) or answers to security questions  114  (see  FIG. 1 ); (2) deletes portions of the respective initial potential QR codes by employing the disassembly algorithm and the information that specifies the attributes of the user and the response send in step  226  (see FIG.  2 B), where each of the deleted portions matches a shape of the first portion  170  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the second complete QR code  168  (see  FIG. 1 ); (3) generates new potential QR codes by filling in the deleted portions with the first portion  170  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the second complete QR code  168  (see  FIG. 1 ); (4) determines that one of the new potential QR codes matches one of the initial potential QR codes; and (5) based on the one new potential QR code matching one of the initial potential QR codes, determines the one new potential QR code is a reassembly of the second complete QR code. 
     In another embodiment, QR codes of the biometric identifiers  112  and answers to security questions  114  are stored in data repository  110 . Identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) employing the assembly algorithm (1) retrieves from data repository  110  multiple potential QR codes that specify biometric identifiers  112  (see  FIG. 1 ) or answers to security questions  114  (see  FIG. 1 ); (2) obtains portions of the respective potential QR codes by employing the disassembly algorithm and the information that specifies the attributes of the user and the response sent in step  226  (see  FIG. 2B ), where each of the obtained portions matches a shape of the first portion of the second complete QR code; (3) attempts to match the first portion of the second complete QR code to the obtained portions until a match is identified; and (4) in response to identifying a match, identify the potential QR code that included the obtained portion that matches the first portion and designate the identified potential QR code as the reassembly of the second complete QR code. 
     In step  230 , identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) extracts the biometric identifier or the answer to the security question from the second complete QR code reassembled in step  228 . 
     In step  232 , identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) determines whether the biometric identifier or answer to the security question extracted in step  230  matches a record in data repository  110  (see  FIG. 1 ). If identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) determines in step  232  that the extracted biometric identifier or extracted answer matches a record in data repository  110  (see  FIG. 1 ), then the Yes branch of step  232  is taken and step  234  is performed. 
     In step  234 , identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) authenticates the identity of the user and mobile device  104  (see  FIG. 1 ) receives an authorization from computer  102  (see  FIG. 1 ) for the electronic transaction to proceed. 
     Returning to step  232 , if identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) determines that the extracted biometric identifier or the extracted answer does not match any record in data repository  110  (see  FIG. 1 ), then the No branch of step  232  is taken and step  236  is performed. 
     In step  236 , identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) indicates that the identity of the user is not authenticated and mobile device  104  (see  FIG. 1 ) receives from computer  102  (see  FIG. 1 ) an indication that the electronic transaction is not authorized to proceed. 
     The process of  FIGS. 2A-2C  ends at step  238 , which follows step  234  and step  236 . 
     Computer System 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a computer or mobile device that is included in the system of  FIG. 1  and that implements the process of  FIGS. 2A-2C , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Computer  300  is a computer system or mobile device that generally includes a central processing unit (CPU)  302 , a memory  304 , an input/output (I/O) interface  306 , and a bus  308 . Further, computer  300  is coupled to I/O devices  310  and a computer data storage unit  312 . In one embodiment, computer  300  is computer  102  (see  FIG. 1 ). In one embodiment, computer  300  is mobile device  104  (see  FIG. 1 ). CPU  302  performs computation and control functions of computer  300 , including carrying out instructions included in program code  314  to perform a method of securely authenticating an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction, where the instructions are carried out by CPU  302  via memory  304 . CPU  302  may include a single processing unit, or be distributed across one or more processing units in one or more locations (e.g., on a client and server). Program code  314  includes program code for the software-based components of computer  300 , such as identity authentication tool  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) or identity authentication tool  158  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     Memory  304  includes a known computer readable storage medium, which is described below. In one embodiment, cache memory elements of memory  304  provide temporary storage of at least some program code (e.g., program code  314 ) in order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage while instructions of the program code are carried out. Moreover, similar to CPU  302 , memory  304  may reside at a single physical location, including one or more types of data storage, or be distributed across a plurality of physical systems in various forms. Further, memory  304  can include data distributed across, for example, a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). 
     I/O interface  306  includes any system for exchanging information to or from an external source. I/O devices  310  include any known type of external device, including a display device, keyboard, etc. Bus  308  provides a communication link between each of the components in computer  300 , and may include any type of transmission link, including electrical, optical, wireless, etc. 
     I/O interface  306  also allows computer  300  to store information (e.g., data or program instructions such as program code  314 ) on and retrieve the information from computer data storage unit  312  or another computer data storage unit (not shown). Computer data storage unit  312  includes a known computer-readable storage medium, which is described below. In one embodiment, computer data storage unit  312  is a non-volatile data storage device, such as a magnetic disk drive (i.e., hard disk drive) or an optical disc drive (e.g., a CD-ROM drive which receives a CD-ROM disk). 
     Memory  304  and/or storage unit  312  may store computer program code  314  that includes instructions that are carried out by CPU  302  via memory  304  to securely authenticate an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction. Although  FIG. 3  depicts memory  304  as including program code  314 , the present invention includes embodiments in which memory  304  does not include all of code  314  simultaneously, but instead at one time includes only a portion of code  314 . 
     Further, memory  304  includes an operating system (not shown) and may include other systems not shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Storage unit  312  and/or one or more other computer data storage units (not shown) that are coupled to computer  300  may include data repository  110  (see  FIG. 1 ) or data repository  160  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, in a first embodiment, the present invention may be a system; in a second embodiment, the present invention may be a method; and in a third embodiment, the present invention may be a computer program product. 
     Any of the components of an embodiment of the present invention can be deployed, managed, serviced, etc. by a service provider that offers to deploy or integrate computing infrastructure with respect to securely authenticating an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a process for supporting computer infrastructure, where the process includes providing at least one support service for at least one of integrating, hosting, maintaining and deploying computer-readable code (e.g., program code  314 ) in a computer system (e.g., computer  300 ) including one or more processors (e.g., CPU  302 ), wherein the processor(s) carry out instructions contained in the code causing the computer system to securely authenticate an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction. Another embodiment discloses a process for supporting computer infrastructure, where the process includes integrating computer-readable program code into a computer system including a processor. The step of integrating includes storing the program code in a computer-readable storage device of the computer system through use of the processor. The program code, upon being executed by the processor, implements a method of securely authenticating an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction. 
     While it is understood that program code  314  for securely authenticating an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction may be deployed by manually loading directly in client, server and proxy computers (not shown) via loading a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., computer data storage unit  312 ), program code  314  may also be automatically or semi-automatically deployed into computer  300  by sending program code  314  to a central server or a group of central servers. Program code  314  is then downloaded into client computers (e.g., computer  300 ) that will execute program code  314 . Alternatively, program code  314  is sent directly to the client computer via e-mail. Program code  314  is then either detached to a directory on the client computer or loaded into a directory on the client computer by a button on the e-mail that executes a program that detaches program code  314  into a directory. Another alternative is to send program code  314  directly to a directory on the client computer hard drive. In a case in which there are proxy servers, the process selects the proxy server code, determines on which computers to place the proxy servers&#39; code, transmits the proxy server code, and then installs the proxy server code on the proxy computer. Program code  314  is transmitted to the proxy server and then it is stored on the proxy server. 
     Another embodiment of the invention provides a method that performs the process steps on a subscription, advertising and/or fee basis. That is, a service provider, such as a Solution Integrator, can offer to create, maintain, support, etc. a process of securely authenticating an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction. In this case, the service provider can create, maintain, support, etc. a computer infrastructure that performs the process steps for one or more customers. In return, the service provider can receive payment from the customer(s) under a subscription and/or fee agreement, and/or the service provider can receive payment from the sale of advertising content to one or more third parties. 
     The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) (memory  304  and computer data storage unit  312 ) having computer readable program instructions  314  thereon for causing a processor (e.g., CPU  302 ) to carry out aspects of the present invention. 
     The computer readable storage medium (i.e., computer readable storage device) can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions (e.g., program code  314 ) for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium and a computer readable storage device, as used herein, are not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire. 
     Computer readable program instructions (e.g., program code  314 ) described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices (e.g., computer  300 ) from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device (e.g., computer data storage unit  312 ) via a network (not shown), for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card (not shown) or network interface (not shown) in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device. 
     Computer readable program instructions (e.g., program code  314 ) for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention. 
     Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations (e.g.,  FIG. 2  and  FIGS. 3A-3B ) and/or block diagrams (e.g.,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 ) of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions (e.g., program code  314 ). 
     These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor (e.g., CPU  302 ) of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus (e.g., computer  300 ) to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium (e.g., computer data storage unit  312 ) that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The computer readable program instructions (e.g., program code  314 ) may also be loaded onto a computer (e.g. computer  300 ), other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     In one embodiment, memory  304  is ROM and computer  300  is a special purpose computer, where the ROM includes instructions of program code  314  that are executed by CPU  302  via ROM  304  to securely authenticate an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction. 
     The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
     While embodiments of the present invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, many modifications and changes will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to encompass all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.