A method for detecting user liveness is provided that includes selecting first and second images from a sequence of images. The first and second images are captured under different illumination conditions. The method further includes locating feature calculation windows in corresponding positions on the first and second images. Each window includes a first area and a second area. Moreover, the method includes calculating, by a computing device, a feature value for each window position based on pixels, within the windows located at the position, from the first and second images. Furthermore, the method includes calculating a feature vector from the feature values, calculating a confidence score from the feature vector, and determining the sequence of images includes images of a live user when the confidence score is equal to or greater than the threshold score.