Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or system attempting to access a network or application. This is typically done by providing credentials such as a username and password, biometric data, or a security token.
Example: When you log into your email account by entering your username and password, the system verifies that the information you provided matches the stored credentials associated with your account. If the information is correct, you are granted access to your email account. This is an example of authentication.