George Turner Effectiveness of Biometric Security CS591 Semester Project

Abstract Computers need a way to identify and verify user(s) Protect the identity of the user, without exposure to other malicious users Method should be user friendly, or risk losing user base Be able to assure confidence to user that the computer knows who you are 2

Current Technique (Passwords) Pros: – Easy to use, only requires the use of a keyboard – String encryption allows for protection – Users are confident, as this method has been used for 50 years Cons: – Easy to steal, when non-encrypted – Requires constant changing, for better security – Requires complexity, for better security 3

Biometrics Wikipedia: “methods for uniquely recognizing humans based upon one or more intrinsic physical or behavioral traits” Common Types: Fingerprint, DNA, Voice, Retina. Recent and continuing trends in technology make this easier and more accurate 4

Fingerprints Wikipedia: “No two fingerprints have ever been found identical in many billions of human and automated computer comparisons” IAFIS, and other databases already have millions of records Making it’s way onto identification documents, such as driver’s license, and Passports 5

Current Fingerprint Scanners Pros: – Easy to use, only requires a swipe of the finger – Scan is unique for all individuals – Scanners are getting cheaper to make (Mid grade quality for $40) Cons: – Hollywood still portrays as a “vulnerable” technology. – Primary usage is a “password bank” 6

Operating System and Application Integration Integrated with all of the major operating systems: Windows, Linux, Mac, Ubuntu Numerous SDKs for all of the major programming languages (C#, Java, Visual Basic, Delphi, etc.), ranging from Freeware to Full scale business usage 7

Questions? 8