Hand Print Scanner [answered]

answered 2015-03-05 11:02:54 +0200

oenone
1070 ●12 ●15 ●18

updated 2015-03-05 11:04:36 +0200

The problem with biometrics is that once it is hacked or stolen (as is common these days), you can't change your password to a new one.

In a comparatively low-security environment such as a mobile phone which can be lost or stolen quite easily, I really don't think biometrics have any purpose.

I can understand wanting security AND convenience, but in the real world, these two things rarely go hand-in-hand. I suggest that you evaluate the reasons why you want your phone to be locked. What are the threats that you want to guard against? Thieves? Your flat-mates? The government? Someone else?

Then determine what would be the correct level of security to guard against that threat. Perhaps your local laws state that an unlocked phone may be searched whenever by agents of the state, but a phone with a password requires a warrant. Then simply put a whatever password on your device. If you want to guard against thieves, then you likely need full-disk encryption and remote wiping capability, so you would probably be better off with a BlackBerry. And so forth.

Everyone has their own levels of balance between security and convenience, and it is for you to decide where yours lies. But for your own sake, implement it properly and don't make just a half-baked effort, claiming it is good enough or trust others to implement it for your properly. Do your own homework and know what is going on to protect you.

With that understanding, I still do not believe that biometrics have any place in consumer electronics.