The present invention is a method and apparatus for protection of products and packaging against counterfeiting using dedicated
authentication protocol coupled with portable devices. It is based on the
product identification information, i.e., PIN, generated by the product manufacturer, stored in the product
database and added to product or packaging in an open and / or a hidden form. The open part is directly available to the
consumer before buying, opening or consuming the product or
package or damaging its integrity while the hidden part is only revealed after these operations. The hidden information can also be disappearing after a predefined interval of time or number of trials or usages. Both parts are communicated to the
authentication server in a predefined order to verify the product or
package authenticity. The presence, absence, or multiple requests for the same product PIN, confirm or reject product authenticity or detect attempt at attacking the
system or at using counterfeited products.