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Dell Fingerprint Reader

  • 23-08-2008 1:53am
    #1
    macgowan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 55 ✭✭


    Does this device actually work efficiently? Is it worth €10? And is it secure?


Comments

  • #2
    probe
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,055 ✭✭✭probe


    Like most biometric devices, it can only be relied on as part of the solution. It would be unwise to replace a smart card or even password security access control to a PC with just a fingerprint reading operation - if only that it might not let you into your computer every time!

    It may be useful in conjunction with passwords as an additional security measure.

    Is Dell only selling the fingerprint reader with no software for €10? If so, do you have any intended application software that can make use of it?

    .probe


  • #3
    macgowan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 55 ✭✭macgowan


    probe wrote: »
    Is Dell only selling the fingerprint reader with no software for €10? If so, do you have any intended application software that can make use of it?

    Not sure about this... it's down from €20. I presume software comes included, no?


  • #4
    Mr WibbleWobble
    Closed Accounts Posts: 35 ✭Mr WibbleWobble


    Useless piece of security tbh. Your finger prints are all over your notebook for a start.


  • #5
    _CreeD_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,162 ✭✭✭_CreeD_


    Its been a while since I looked at the sensors Dell were using but just because your fingerprint can be lifted from the device does not mean it can be used to fool the sensor. All but the cheapest sensors now use capacitance to look through the first few layers of skin, better ones check for electrostatic activity and the best still for a pulse, in other words a simple pressing of the fingerprint onto some pliable material won't do the trick. Other things to look for are the False Acceptance and Rejection rates (essentially how accurate it is, dependant on the quality of the hardware and the software/algorithm it attaches to to authenticate) obviously lower is better, also get a unit that uses encryption from sensor all the way to the application - this is especially important for USB devices. Check the spec.s on the Dell reader for these details and go from there.

    My own opinion is that unless you are willing to spend for a very good quality secure sensor then it's only real benefit is to bypass PEBKAC by having users swipe rather than forget their password for the hundreth time (though as Probe said it ideally should be part of a multifactor solution and not an either/or in conjunction with passwords)


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