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| Awareness against fake fingerprints prevent fingerprint from becoming the choice of biometrics despite their benefits |
Apple’s refusal to the US government’s request to unlock Syed Rizwan Farook’s iPhone has triggered public interests in personal and information security. Ever since the introduction of Touch ID by Apple, fingerprint technology has been implemented into more and more mobile devices by different manufacturers. It is being adopted as the authentication methods for users as they log into their mobiles phones, and fingerprint technology is being utilised in more ways, such as a method of payment like the latest Apple Pay and Samsung Pay solutions.
Biometrics adoption on rise
Electronic access control traditionally utilised RFID cards for credentials, but use of biometrics was slowly gaining grounds. However, the wide public acceptance of biometrics on mobile phones may expedite the adoption process and have biometrics replace RFID cards altogether. With continued technological progression led by mobile phones, the cost of biometrics has reduced significantly and is finally available for mass deployment. Additionally, the reduced cost of hardware allows for faster matching and a larger user database for versatile application.
Preventing ‘spoofing’ with live finger detection (LFD) technology
The benefits of using biometrics is highlighted by its use of true identity. It is not easily duplicated, and can’t be easily passed on to others. Also, users don’t have to be reminded to carry credentials with risk of losing them. However, increasing awareness of, and attempted uses of, fake fingerprints are becoming a real threat against fingerprint becoming the biometric authentication of choice despite their benefits. The threats are gathering more attention and a number of different biometric security solutions are looking to resolve such issues through the implementation of multi-modal authentication or new live finger detection technology.
Adoption depends on the |
The key for adaptation of new technology is focused on convenience. Using multi-modal authentication reduces the convenience factor by increasing the number of authentication steps for the user. Live finger detection eliminates such inconveniences by preventing ‘spoofing’ during the normal authentication process. Replicated fingerprints made from materials like clay, gelatine, silicone and rubber are called ‘fake fingerprints’, and authenticating with these fake fingerprints is called ‘spoofing’.
Distinguishing fake fingers from live fingers
Suprema’s Live Finger Detection (LFD) technology is based on deep learning of dynamic and static image characteristics of fake fingers, and how they can be distinguished from those of live fingers. With an advanced analysis algorithm to detect abnormalities in dynamic changing patterns of fingerprints images, and several static features of liveness or unnaturalness of fingers, fake fingers are clearly distinguished from live fingers.
It is clear biometrics will continue to grow and be used in high security areas due to their convenient and secure nature. The winner in this of game of cat and mouse will depend on the development of advanced biometrics technology like live finger detection and deployment of such technology to stay ahead of the threats of false authentication.
