# Authentification Through NFTs
By: Junhyung Yoon

### Background Info:
NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are units of data and are either digital or physical assets that are bought and sold in the blockchain. No NFT is duplicatable and has its own unique value making NFT authentication viable.

### Ways to verify NFTs
- Many NFTs have their own authentication method which are easily accessible such as:
- token IDs
- NFT status
- serial number
- owner ID
- programming info
- creator's digital signature

- However, some NFTs do not have these easy methods of verification. Therefore, there are other methods:
- Blockchain Explorer (inspects the metadata of the NFT):
- Etherscan
- Polygonscan
- BscScan
- Reverse Search:
- Allows for one to find similar NFTs/images which can be used to make sure there are no other variants/counterfeits.
- Perceptual Hashing:
- Breaks an image down into specific perceivable traits ie. shapes and colors.
- These traits are put through a computer algorithm which identifies similar patterns within these traits.
- A human makes the final call for authenticity after viewing the results of the algorithm.

### Specifics of NFT Authenticity Confirmation
- NFTs have smart contracts which their metadata and token ID is stored. This is what is known as the contract origin.
- However, this method can be quite difficult as one would have to verify that the specific smart contract is truly under the ownership of the creator.
- A real-world solution
- PRüF:
- Let's users add exisiting NFTs through its system
- NFTs are minted through this system and tracking the creator is efficient and allows for easy verificiation and authenication of the NFT.
- We could possible use something such as PRüF when verifying if the NFTs are genuine or not.

### NFT Marketplaces and Their Roles for Authentication
Marketplaces offer a method for NFT authentication.
- Open Sea
- Mintable, SuperRare, and Foundation
- Nifty Gateway
- Rarible

We could look into the mechanisms of these marketplaces or even incorporate their functionality into our project.

### Helpful Articles/Links
- https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-nfts-real-world-passport-concert-tickets-2022-3#:~:text=Using%20NFTs%20as%20concert%20tickets%20could%20help%20prevent,featured%20each%20attendee%27s%20unique%20section%2C%20row%2C%20and%20seat. (NFTs as identification)
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2022/02/23/blockchains-and-nfts-in-identification-and-security-protocols/?sh=4e439cc614fc (NFTs as identification)
- https://www.altcoinbuzz.io/nft/build-your-digital-identity-with-nfts/