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Howard2k · 09-08-03, 05:38 PM

Biometrics ARE good when implemented correctly.

But what extra protection does this fingerprint scanner actually provide?

All it does is replace the password.

Information in ROM (Built in Storage) is still as vulnerable with or without the finger print scanner.
Information on storage cards is still equally vulnerable.

Using a finger print scanner is more secure for stuff in main memory than using a password but how much more secure??

A 4 digit numeric password has 10,000 combinations. What happens if you guess the wrong one? You start getting longer and longer timeouts between attemps.

Depending on the character set a 10 digit alphanumber password might have 97,656,250,000,000,000 combinations.

Which is easier. Cutting off someone's finger (or faking it, see Charlies Angels :) ) or going through billions of combinations.

So biometrics = good. Only if the implementation is also good.

09-08-03, 05:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
Howard2k Aximsite Legend Addicted Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 13,721 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 3	Biometrics ARE good when implemented correctly. But what extra protection does this fingerprint scanner actually provide? All it does is replace the password. Information in ROM (Built in Storage) is still as vulnerable with or without the finger print scanner. Information on storage cards is still equally vulnerable. Using a finger print scanner is more secure for stuff in main memory than using a password but how much more secure?? A 4 digit numeric password has 10,000 combinations. What happens if you guess the wrong one? You start getting longer and longer timeouts between attemps. Depending on the character set a 10 digit alphanumber password might have 97,656,250,000,000,000 combinations. Which is easier. Cutting off someone's finger (or faking it, see Charlies Angels :) ) or going through billions of combinations. So biometrics = good. Only if the implementation is also good. __________________ Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.