Changes

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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_century 15th Century]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_century 15th Century]

==Definition==

==Definition==

*1: warranting credit or [[confidence]] —used chiefly in the phrase credential [[letters]]

*1: warranting credit or [[confidence]] —used chiefly in the phrase credential [[letters]]

A '''credential''' is an attestation of qualification, competence, or [[authority]] issued to an [[individual]] by a third party with a relevant or de facto authority or [[assumed]] competence to do so.

A '''credential''' is an attestation of qualification, competence, or [[authority]] issued to an [[individual]] by a third party with a relevant or de facto authority or [[assumed]] competence to do so.

Examples of credentials include [[academic]] diplomas, academic degrees, certifications, [[security]] clearances, identification documents, badges, passwords, user [[names]], keys, powers of attorney, and so on. Sometimes publications, such as scientific papers or [[books]], may be viewed as similar to credentials by some people, especially if the publication was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer_review peer reviewed] or made in a well-known journal or reputable publisher.

Examples of credentials include [[academic]] diplomas, academic degrees, certifications, [[security]] clearances, identification documents, badges, passwords, user [[names]], keys, powers of attorney, and so on. Sometimes publications, such as scientific papers or [[books]], may be viewed as similar to credentials by some people, especially if the publication was [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer_review peer reviewed] or made in a well-known journal or reputable publisher.

A [[person]] holding a credential is usually given documentation or [[secret]] [[knowledge]] (e.g., a password or key) as [[proof]] of the credential. Sometimes this proof (or a copy of it) is held by a third, trusted party. While in some cases a credential may be as simple as a paper membership card, in other cases, such as [[diplomacy]], it may involve presentation of [[letters]] directly from the issuer of the credential detailing its [[faith]] in the [[person]] [[representing]] them in a negotiation or meeting.

A [[person]] holding a credential is usually given documentation or [[secret]] [[knowledge]] (e.g., a password or key) as [[proof]] of the credential. Sometimes this proof (or a copy of it) is held by a third, trusted party. While in some cases a credential may be as simple as a paper membership card, in other cases, such as [[diplomacy]], it may involve presentation of [[letters]] directly from the issuer of the credential detailing its [[faith]] in the [[person]] [[representing]] them in a negotiation or meeting.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterfeiting Counterfeiting] of credentials is a constant and serious [[problem]], irrespective of the [[type]] of credential. A great deal of [[effort]] goes into finding [[methods]] to reduce or prevent [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterfeiting counterfeiting]. In general, the greater the [[perceived]] [[value]] of the credential, the greater the [[problem]] with counterfeiting and the greater the lengths to which the issuer of the credential must go to prevent fraud.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credential]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterfeiting Counterfeiting] of credentials is a constant and serious [[problem]], irrespective of the [[type]] of credential. A great deal of [[effort]] goes into finding [[methods]] to reduce or prevent [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterfeiting counterfeiting]. In general, the greater the [[perceived]] [[value]] of the credential, the greater the [[problem]] with counterfeiting and the greater the lengths to which the issuer of the credential must go to prevent fraud.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credential]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]