Biometric Fingerprint Technology -- opinions?

I know some computers out there (IBM and Toshiba, for example) offer the built-in Biometric Fingerprint reading technology. But what are the options out there for the rest of us who don't have that capability built-in to our systems? I've seen a few USB-type devices and I've heard something about SmartCard technology. Is anyone familiar with this? Is this technology worth checking into or more of a hassle?

 

I don't think fingerprint technology is necessary unless you have some files about UFOs or something on your hard drive, but thats just my opinion.

 

While it is a neat little toy and very convenient (I have it on my SZ120), I kind of agree with xfenrysx that something like that is a little overkill unless you work for the NSA or are protecting valuable proprietary corporate secrets. That being said, I think that little toy has spoiled me (made me lazy) and I would find it annoying to have to manually log in to my comp now.

It seems SmartCard is generally used in corporate environments and would probably be more money and trouble than it is worth. We use it where I work and it only works reliably about half the time. I think if we didn't have a login/password backup I would spend more time waiting for IT to fix it than I would getting work done. My 2 cents.

 

That is actually not entirely true. People have a false sense of security these. They can be fooled by things such as play-do. Now, I have zero reason to believe anyone here would have something on there computers that would warrant that kind of effort, but if you do have something ultra-sensitive, then I would look at more than bio-metric security. It is good to know the limitations of your security no matter how far-fetched they seem. Like more and more things with computers, it is more of a marketing-gimmick. However, I am sure it is extremely useful for making password entry convenient, it's just not as secure as they want you to believe.

 

I agree with you. At work, everybody uses IBM and the bio-metric sensor. When it doesn't work, you just press ESC and manually log on Windows. You forgot the password? Go into safe mode and enter as an administrator and change the password again. Security is ZERO.

 

I use one and the main feature that I really like about it is that I don't have to remember passwords. I always forget passwords and used to write them down. Now I let my fingers do the work.

As far as security is concerned, I think its good enough. If someone is smart enough to fool the fingerprint sensor, chances are, that person can hack my password!

 

are you serious?
wtf!
that means that it has no security...
then, why buy it?

 

Actually, it can be configured to be quite secure. The standard setup (i.e. when you buy the machine) is that the wizard will be run, and then the windows password will be stored in the chip and such- what zicky is describing.

Anyone with the actual desire can go into BIOS and add the password/fingerprint reader for Power-on (locking keyboard and mouse during power on and preventing software from running until the "password" is entered), Administrator/Supervisor (locks BIOS changes, particularly those relating to security and boot order), and Hard Drive (preventing the HDD from being removed and accessed on another system). As a matter of fact, if someone goes in to the Client Security stuff in Windows then they can see that all those settings are recommended...but they aren't on by default.

My computer doesn't have a fingerprint reader and as such, I'm using a text password for those purposes.

 

As he says, this can be done and you don't need the fingerprint reader to do so.

 

This is completely off-topic, but I do find the fingerprinting to be a neat feature. But Zicky, that I9300, what brand is it? I've never seen a Pentium M with a Geforce 6800.

EDIT:
Nevermind, it's a DELL. Pointless post. Actually, are there any other brands that sell that kind of configuration, more specifically like an ODM manufacturer?

EDIT:
Are there anymore resellers that sell Pentium M's with Geforce 6800's? I've been looking all over the place

 

Following up the Off-Topic:
Why would you want that? There are newer versions with Core Duo and Geforce 7800. I believe only Sager and Alienware sold or may be still selling notebooks with Go6800. Have you tried them? (Try Sager first, I can't remember off the top of my head at this moment which was the model that sold these).

 

It's hard to find laptops with GeForce Go 6800 AND Pentium M processors. Most of the 6800's all come with P4 processors.

 

I think it is a great technology for some people, but for the majority of us, it is rather useless. If your someone like a government official, then it might be worth considering, otherwise not.