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Smart card authentication is a specific method of authentication that utilizes a smart card as a secure form of identification. Smart cards are physical devices that contain embedded integrated circuits capable of processing and securely storing data. They often store cryptographic keys, which allow for various types of secure transactions and access control.

In the context of authentication, smart cards can provide both something you have (the physical card itself) and something you know (a PIN or password associated with the card). This feature allows for enhanced security, making it a preferred choice in environments where strong identity verification is necessary. Thus, when the question refers to the type of authentication that employs smart card technology, smart card authentication is the most fitting answer.

Other methods, while they may also incorporate various technologies in their processes, do not solely rely on smart card technology. For instance, two-factor authentication can include smart cards as one of its components but is broader in scope as it can combine other types of authentication methods. Password authentication relies solely on knowledge-based verification techniques. Biometric authentication, on the other hand, utilizes unique physical characteristics for verification rather than a physical card. Therefore, smart card authentication is the most accurate and specific representation of the type that employs smart card technology.