[geeks] Interesting article on fingerprint biometric systems

[Dan Duncan]

On Sun, 9 May 2004, Charles Shannon Hendrix wrote:
> The only serious benefit to biometrics is in combination with physical
> ID.  The two are combined.  That way access can be removed or changed so
> that stealing your biometric data is not forever.

Isn't the ideal THREE things?  Something you have, something you know,
and something you are.  Physical ID, PIN, and a biometric?  I live
in a town with at least 5 military bases and while I've never worked
at any of them, I have a number of friends who have and/or do and
some of the security stories are interesting.  A PIN gives you added
capabilities like duress codes.  Make a predetermined modification to
the PIN and you can tell security "I have a gun to my head, please
trigger a SILENT alarm and I'll duck when we come through the door
THEN open fire."  I've often wished my ATM card allowed virtual PINs.
A PIN with a cash limit and limited use (once, weekly, etc) or a
duress code (This card has been stolen, allow a $100 withdrawal and
flag the video tape!) might be nice.

For real security, how about a retinal scanner that shoots your eye
out?

-DanD

-- 
#  Dan Duncan (kd4igw)  dand at pcisys.net  http://pcisys.net/~dand
# When shopping for an eyeball-scanning security system, I accidentally
# ordered a "rectal scanner." Luckily, it keeps out the strangers just
# as well.   John Gephart IV