Abstract:
Implementing security access includes receiving a request to perform an activity over a network and administering a cognitive test responsive to the request. The administering includes randomly selecting a set of related images from a database of images, randomly selecting one image that is unrelated to the set of related images, displaying the set of related images along with the image that is unrelated to the set of related images, and prompting a user to identify the image that is unrelated to the set of related images. Implementing the security access also includes processing results of the cognitive test, and executing the activity when it is determined from the processing that the cognitive test has been successfully completed.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to computer-based security access, and more specifically, to cognitive pattern recognition for security access in a flow of tasks. 
         [0002]    Consumers seeking to perform transactions, such as the purchase of items via electronic commerce (ecommerce) applications that include check out processes oftentimes find themselves at a significant disadvantage over competing interests in these items. For example, it is becoming more commonplace for traders to procure large quantities of popular consumer items for the purpose of resale to these consumers by accessing the ecommerce applications using automated software techniques (e.g., pre-formatted scripts or bots) that place orders for the items. As these software techniques operate at very high speeds, they are able to outpace the capabilities of any interested individuals to procure these items, thereby placing these individuals at a great disadvantage. 
         [0003]    Many enterprises have adopted security software tools in an attempt to thwart these automated software systems. One popular technique utilizes visually distorted words or alphanumeric characters that are presented to a user and the user is required to enter them in a special field. The distortion seeks to prevent the automated software systems from identifying the words using character recognition technology, thereby discouraging the automated software practices. However, this type of security can be difficult for the consumer as well, since the distortions sometimes have the effect of preventing recognition of the characters even to a human eye. In addition, individuals who are visually impaired would have a particular disadvantage. Furthermore, anti-security techniques for identifying distorted characters have become more improved over time and are able to achieve greater success rates than ever before. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for implementing security access is provided. The method includes receiving a request to perform an activity over a network, administering a cognitive test responsive to the request. The administering includes randomly selecting a set of related images from a database of images, randomly selecting one image is that unrelated to the set of related images, displaying the set of related images along with the image that is unrelated to the set of related images, and prompting a user to identify the image that is unrelated to the set of related images. The method also includes processing results of the cognitive test, and executing the activity when it is determined from the processing that the cognitive test has been successfully completed. 
         [0005]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, a system for implementing security access is provided. The system includes a computer processor and a security application executable by the computer processor. The security application implements a method. The method includes receiving a request to perform an activity over a network, administering a cognitive test responsive to the request. The administering includes randomly selecting a set of related images from a database of images, randomly selecting one image is that unrelated to the set of related images, displaying the set of related images along with the image that is unrelated to the set of related images, and prompting a user to identify the image that is unrelated to the set of related images. The method also includes processing results of the cognitive test, and executing the activity when it is determined from the processing that the cognitive test has been successfully completed. 
         [0006]    According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a computer program product for implementing security access is provided. The computer program product includes a storage medium having instructions embodied thereon, which when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement a method. The method includes receiving a request to perform an activity over a network, administering a cognitive test responsive to the request. The administering includes randomly selecting a set of related images from a database of images, randomly selecting one image is that unrelated to the set of related images, displaying the set of related images along with the image that is unrelated to the set of related images, and prompting a user to identify the image that is unrelated to the set of related images. The method also includes processing results of the cognitive test, and executing the activity when it is determined from the processing that the cognitive test has been successfully completed. 
         [0007]    Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with the advantages and the features, refer to the description and to the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The forgoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of a system upon which security access may be implemented according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  depicts a flow diagram describing a process for implementing security access according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts a user interface screen and sample data provided by the security access system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    According to an exemplary embodiment, computer-based security access processes are provided. The security access processes provide a cognitive test over a network to ensure that responses entered are generated by a human as opposed to an automated software application. In receiving a correct answer to the cognitive test, the security access processes presumes that the response has been entered by a human. 
         [0013]    The security access processes provide a way of discriminating human involvement in a computer-based transaction that utilizes Internet or network-connected interactions that require an endurance of actual human intervention and not a “pseudo intervention” that could be performed by an automated system or application in the realm of computer technology. Cognitive perception and reaction are performed by the human end user to verify that a human is actually interacting with the information technology system and to verify the intentions of the user initiating the transaction. 
         [0014]    In addition, the security access processes may be configured to identify methodical queries of a page for access and deny or block that instance from access to the system (e.g., via the incoming IP address, user name, etc.). These, and other features, of the security access processes will now be described. 
         [0015]    Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a system upon which the security access processes may be implemented will now be described in an exemplary embodiment. The system  100  of  FIG. 1  includes a host system  102  and one or more user systems  104  through which users at one or more geographic locations may contact the host system  102 . The host system  102  executes computer instructions for implementing the exemplary security access processes described herein. In one embodiment, the host system  102  represents an enterprise that performs transactions on behalf of users who desire goods or services from the enterprise system. The host system  102  may provide a web site including web pages that offer information regarding goods and/or services, as well as the ability to acquire these goods and services. 
         [0016]    The user systems  104  are coupled to the host system  102  via one or more networks  106 . Each user system  104  may be implemented using a general-purpose computer executing a computer program for carrying out processes described herein. For example, the user systems  104  may each implement a web browser application. The user systems  104  may be personal computers (e.g., a lap top, a personal digital assistant) or a network server-attached terminal. In an embodiment, the user systems  104  are operated by consumers of goods or services offered via the host system  102 . 
         [0017]    The networks  106  may include any type of known networks including, but not limited to, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a global network (e.g. Internet), a virtual private network (VPN), and an intranet. The networks  106  may be implemented using a wireless network or any kind of physical network implementation known in the art. A user system  104  may be coupled to the host system through multiple networks (e.g., intranet and Internet) so that not all user systems  104  are coupled to the host system  102  through the same network. One or more of the user systems  104  and the host system  102  may be connected to the networks  106  in a wireless fashion. 
         [0018]    The host system  102  is communicatively coupled to a storage device  108 . The storage device  108  stores data relating to the security access processes and may be implemented using a variety of devices for storing electronic information. In an exemplary embodiment, the storage device  108  stores images used in providing the security access processes as will be described herein. It is understood that the storage device  108  may be implemented using memory contained in the host system  102  or it may be a separate physical device. The storage device  108  may be logically addressable as a consolidated data source across a distributed environment that includes networks  106 . Information stored in the storage device  108  may be retrieved and manipulated via the host system  102 . 
         [0019]    In an embodiment, the host system  102  operates as a database server and coordinates access to application data including data (e.g., images) stored on the storage device  108 . 
         [0020]    The host system  102  depicted in  FIG. 1  may be implemented using one or more servers operating in response to a computer program stored in a storage medium accessible by the server. The host system  102  may operate as a network server (e.g., a web server) to communicate with the user systems  104 . The host system  102  handles sending and receiving information to and from the user systems  104  and can perform associated tasks. 
         [0021]    The host system  102  may also operate as an application server. The host system  102  executes one or more computer programs to implement the security access processes. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the host system  102  these computer program(s) are implemented by a security access application  110 . 
         [0022]    As indicated above, the security access processes provide a cognitive test over a network to ensure that responses entered are generated by a human as opposed to an automated software application. In receiving a correct answer to the cognitive test, the security access processes presumes that the response has been entered by a human. Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a process for implementing the security access will now be described in an exemplary embodiment. 
         [0023]    The process begins at step  202  whereby a request is received at the host system  102  to perform an activity or transaction. In an embodiment, the request relates to a desire to purchase or order goods or services offered by an enterprise of the host system  102 . For example, a user may be browsing a web site of the host system  102  enterprise and select goods or services to include, e.g., in a shopping cart at the site or to proceed to a checkout web page. When the user selects an option to perform the transaction (e.g., to purchase or order the goods/services), the security access application  110  receives the request and proceeds as described herein. Other transactions may include performing a sensitive activity, such as accessing personal or confidential records, downloading software, or registering with an entity for access to information or membership functions. 
         [0024]    At step  204 , the security access application  110  determines whether the user system  102  has previously attempted to implement a cognitive test at the web site that has been prepared by the security access application  110 . If the number of unsuccessful attempts meets a pre-defined threshold number of attempts (e.g., more than once as shown in  FIG. 2 ), the security access application  110  presumes that the source of the requests is an automated software system and may handle the request according to prescribed business logic. In one embodiment, the system may deny the request. The process then ends at step  214 . 
         [0025]    Otherwise, if the number of unsuccessful attempts does not meet the pre-defined threshold, the security access application  110  administers a cognitive test to the requester at step  206 . The security access application  100  accesses the storage device  108  and randomly selects a number of related images from a database and one image that is unrelated to the related images. The related images refer to those that have some common aspects or are associated with some human-recognizable taxonomy. For example, taxonomies may include animals, transport systems, symbols, or variations of a common subject, to name a few. The images may be related in the storage device by assigning tags to the images specifying a relationship (or lack of relationship). An unrelated image refers to one that does not share common attributes with another image. The images may be any representations that are identifiable by a human. The storage device  108  may be configured to store the images using any classification scheme that enables the security access application  110  to identify image relationships. The image selections may be made at run time (e.g., at the time the request is received). 
         [0026]    At step  208 , the security access application  110  displays the images (related and unrelated) on a display screen of the user system  104 , along with a prompt to select the unrelated image. 
         [0027]    A user interface screen is shown in  FIG. 3A and 3B  with sample data. As shown in  FIG. 3A , e.g., an instruction image  302 A is displayed that directs the user to select the unrelated image (also referred to as “odd image”) in a sequence of images  304 A. The unrelated image  306 A in this example is the letter “A”, as the remaining images represent numerals. As shown in  FIG. 3B , e.g., an instruction image  302 B is displayed that directs the user to select the unrelated image in a sequence of images  304 B. The unrelated image in this example is the boat  306 B. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the instruction images  302 A and  302 B are inline with, and are the same size as, the other images  304 A and  304 B (including the unrelated images  306 A and  306 B), respectively, in the sets. This alignment and common sizing of the images may assist in preventing automated systems, such as spiders, from learning that images of certain sizes or pixel numbers could be associated with specific items, such as the question image, thereby processing the images differently. The instruction image, unrelated image, and the other images may be aligned along a common axis (e.g., horizontally or vertically). 
         [0028]    At step  210 , the security access application  110  determines if the user has selected the correct (i.e., unrelated) image. If not, the user may be instructed to repeat the cognitive test as long as a pre-defined number of attempts have not been reached (step  204 ) whereby the security access application  110  accesses new images for display. In this scenario, the security access application  110  may present an error message to the user. If the correct image has been selected at step  210 , the security access application  110  presumes that the requester is a human and permits the user to proceed to the next web page at step  212  (e.g., the shopping cart or checkout page). The process then ends at step  214 . 
         [0029]    As indicated above, the security access application  110  may be configured to associate an audio file with each of the images in the database in order to provide greater accessibility to users who may be visually impaired. In this embodiment, the user may select an option that is associated with the image on the display and the assigned tag is mapped to the audio file and causes the security access application  110  to retrieve the corresponding audio file and present the audio file to the user. In this manner, the user is provided with audio information representing the image such that the user can identify the image by the audio. Once the user has listened to each audio file presented on the display, the user can then cognitively determine which of the images are unrelated by its corresponding audio file. 
         [0030]    Technical effects of the invention include security access processes that provide a cognitive test over a network to ensure that responses entered are generated by a human as opposed to an automated software application. The security access processes select related images and an unrelated image from a repository, and present the related images and the unrelated image to a user in response to an activity performed over a network. In receiving a correct answer to the cognitive test, the security access processes presumes that the response has been entered by a human. 
         [0031]    As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. 
         [0032]    Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, 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), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
         [0033]    A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
         [0034]    Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. 
         [0035]    Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code 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). 
         [0036]    Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams 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 program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus 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. 
         [0037]    These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0038]    The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0039]    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 code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, 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 combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
         [0040]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0041]    The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated 
         [0042]    The flow diagrams depicted herein are just one example. There may be many variations to this diagram or the steps (or operations) described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed in a differing order or steps may be added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered a part of the claimed invention. 
         [0043]    While the preferred embodiment to the invention had been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.