Identification and authentication during login are handled by the Oracle Solaris OS. The login screen initially contains the Username prompt. This part of the login process is referred to as identification.
After you have entered the username, the password prompt is displayed. This part of the process is referred to as authentication. The password authenticates that you are indeed the user who is authorized to use that username.
A password is a private combination of keystrokes that validates your identity to the system. Your password is stored in an encrypted form and is not accessible by other users on the system. It is your responsibility to protect your password so that other users cannot use it to gain unauthorized access. Never write down your password or disclose it to anyone else because a person with your password has access to all your data without being identifiable or accountable. Your initial password is supplied by your security administrator.