Disclosed herein is an authenticating mark formed on the surface of a product or package. The said mark comprising: at least an overt portion of visible 3D random image in the form of physically unclonable function (PUF) characterized in that the said PUF is random cracks or colors. Additionally, phosphor particles might be added to this pattern as covert features. It further disclose a system and method for identifying genuine or counterfeited products by analyzing the image of a 3D-PUF and its encrypted image using a commonly held scanning device.