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Biometrics is the science of identifying or verifying the identity of
a person based on physiological or behavioral characteristics.
Physiological characteristics include fingerprints, retinal pattern, iris,
and facial appearance.
Behavioral characteristics are actions carried out by a
person in a unique way. They include signatures, voiceprints, and gait, although
these are naturally dependent on physical characteristics as
well.
Biometrics have several advantages over conventional password and PIN based systems. First, a biometric does not need to be remembered and cannot be easily lost. This makes it much easier for the user. Furthermore, a biometric can not be easily stolen or loaned to a friend. This makes it more secure from a system point of view. Moreover, a biometric typically has a higher information content than a password thus making it harder for a hacker to crack such a system using brute force. |
| Last updated: 6/6/02 | |||
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