Term of the Moment
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Definition: biometrics
The biological identification of a person. Examples are face, iris and retinal patterns, hand geometry and voice. Built into laptop computers and smartphones, fingerprint readers have become popular as a secure method for identification. See fingerprint reader, wearables, smart clothes, facial recognition, voice recognition and iris recognition.
Active vs. Passive Biometrics
Active biometrics requires users to perform some activity such as running their finger across a reader or looking into the camera. Passive biometrics senses gestures and rhythms; for example, every person has a unique typing rhythm (see biometric signature and keyboard biometrics).
More Security
More secure than passwords or even smart cards, which can be stolen. biometrics may be the primary or secondary authentication mechanism (see two-factor authentication). However, biometrics can be circumvented; for example, fingerprints captured from a water glass can fool scanners. See FIDO, Windows Hello and authentication.
A Biometric Mouse
Active vs. Passive Biometrics
Active biometrics requires users to perform some activity such as running their finger across a reader or looking into the camera. Passive biometrics senses gestures and rhythms; for example, every person has a unique typing rhythm (see biometric signature and keyboard biometrics).
More Security
More secure than passwords or even smart cards, which can be stolen. biometrics may be the primary or secondary authentication mechanism (see two-factor authentication). However, biometrics can be circumvented; for example, fingerprints captured from a water glass can fool scanners. See FIDO, Windows Hello and authentication.
SecuGen's EyeD Mouse includes a fingerprint reader on the thumb side of the device. It takes less than a second for the EyeD Mouse to verify a fingerprint. (Image courtesy of SecuGen Corporation.)