OSNews: http://www.osnews.com/story/25336/Open_Source_Biometrics_Technology Exploring the Future of Computing en-us Copyright 2001-2013, David Adams adam+nospam@osnews.com Fri, 24 May 2013 01:02:36 GMT http://www.osnews.com/images/osnews.gif OSNews.com http://www.osnews.com Biometrics are over-used http://www.osnews.com/thread?497376 http://www.osnews.com/thread?497376 In the US it's only a matter of time before everybody wants your fingerprint. McDonald's uses them for employee check-in; my local library uses them for PC access. They always tell you it's ok because they mathematically convert it into "templates."

But what happens when a company looses your fingerprint template or allows it to be stolen? Are they going to give you a new finger?

As always, the individual pays the price, while the company skips away from any responsibility. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:22:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (benali72) Comments RE: Biometrics are over-used http://www.osnews.com/thread?497383 http://www.osnews.com/thread?497383
But what happens when a company looses your fingerprint template or allows it to be stolen? Are they going to give you a new finger?

It's probably a safe assumption that they'll fall back to more traditional means of identity confirmation.

As always, the individual pays the price, while the company skips away from any responsibility.

How exactly would you be paying the price? Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:53:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (ilovebeer) Comments RE: Biometrics are over-used http://www.osnews.com/thread?497394 http://www.osnews.com/thread?497394 benaili72,

Yeah, this is a long known problem with the technology. The sad thing is that even the most obvious ways to defeat the technology do work.

http://www.slideshare.net/anivar/biometrics-vulnerabilities-exploit...

Even mythbusters got in on it and managed to crack some production devices. The concept of biometric copying/theft has even made it's way into fiction (Angels & Demons, Gattaca).

Anyone remember when a group copied the German Minister's fingerprints because he was pushing for biometrics so strongly?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03/30/german_interior_minister_fi...


I'm not against (elective) biometrics, but anyone implementing them should not oversell their security. Using biometrics on a supervised cash register is ok, using them on a locked safe/atm is probably not. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:46:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Alfman) Comments Direct linkt to the tech http://www.osnews.com/thread?497497 http://www.osnews.com/thread?497497 http://digitalpersona.com/fingerjetfx/ Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:04:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (JAlexoid) Comments RE[2]: Biometrics are over-used http://www.osnews.com/thread?497536 http://www.osnews.com/thread?497536 Biometrics works if you know how to use them. It can be summed up in:
Biometrics are good to verify that you are who you say you are. They're not good for identifying who you are. Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:51:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Soulbender) Comments