Fingerprint readers

If I get a fingerprint reader (like the one in the XPS M1530), can I use it to log into sites like eBay, Paypal, and forums like these by just swiping my finger? I heard that the reader only works on Windows programs like the login, etc...is that true?

 

No, from what I read you can replace the passwords with the fingerprint readers. That's what they are for, to replace passwords.

 

On my fingerprint reader it is configured for some of my websites but it can become a hassle down the line if you used it for general websites. You can use it to encrypt/password protect files and also to log-in to windows.

 

I have a fingerprint reader on my laptop and let me tell you how it works.

In order for your fingerprint reader to work on a specific software, the software itself must support the fingerprint reader module.

Unfortunately, most programs do not have such a module so if you're thinking 1 finger access to everywhere on your computer, it's not quite exactly it.

Fingerprint readers so far for me only work on windows login and browser logins. There are other configs such as a swipe of a specific finger could mean launching a program that you like or using the fingerprint reader as a scrollbar scroller.

Once you have your fp reader configured, you go to a website that you would want to have your pw saved so you can swipe with your finger to get in. For example, if you use this website when you login, you type in your username and password like you would normally but when you finish, you would swipe the finger and press "register" so the fp reader will remember your password. The next time you want to login again, all you have to do is swipe your finger and the info comes right back out.

So what's fp reader good for? It helps reduce the number of passwords you have to remember and it's good for security since no one can tell what the password is (making your comp harder to hack). However, it can be bad because if you rely on it too much, you will forget the password and if you ever need to logon from another computer you will have problems.

 

So it's not possible to log on from another computer that has one too right? So basically if your computer ever suddenly dies, all those accounts will become inaccessible?

 

No the problem he is implying is if you are on another computer visiting a site that you usually use your fingerprint reader for then you will forget the password to log-in to it would possibly become a hassle.