Which method is typically used for verifying a user’s identity in network security?

Password-based authentication is a fundamental method for verifying a user’s identity in network security. This technique relies on users providing a unique password, which is compared against a stored value (a hash of the password) in the system's database. Successful verification allows access to the system, while failure to provide the correct password denies access.

This method is widely used because it is straightforward and easy to implement, making it a default choice for many applications and services. It allows users to authenticate themselves from any location, providing both flexibility and ease of use. Additionally, password-based authentication can be enhanced with other security measures like multi-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring something the user has in addition to something they know.

Other options do not serve the primary purpose of user identity verification. Firewall configuration pertains to controlling network traffic and protecting the network perimeter but does not interact directly with user authentication. Network monitoring involves observing and analyzing traffic flows to detect suspicious activity but is not used for verifying user identity. Data encryption secures data by converting it into a format unreadable to unauthorized users, but it does not verify the identity of users attempting to access that data. Therefore, password-based authentication stands out as the principal method for identifying users in a network security