Fingerprint logins.

[Jeff]

I just got a new notebook with a fingerprint reader. Are fingerprint
readers really that secure? Can't they be easily by-passed?

I also have a BIOS password, but it does not come into play when the
notebook hibernates. Then it only asks for the fingerprint.

Jeff

[Ted Zieglar]

Depends on how much security you need. Fingerprint readers will read a
fingerprint even if it's not on your finger. Also, they will logon a
fingerprint that looks sufficiently similar to yours, while not being
exactly yours.

---
Ted Zieglar
"Backup is a computer user's best friend."

Jeff wrote:
> I just got a new notebook with a fingerprint reader. Are fingerprint
> readers really that secure? Can't they be easily by-passed?
>
> I also have a BIOS password, but it does not come into play when the
> notebook hibernates. Then it only asks for the fingerprint.
>
> Jeff
>
>

[Jeff]

That's what I thought. If I understand you correctly, it seems like a good
password is still the better choice.

Jeff

Ted Zieglar wrote:
> Depends on how much security you need. Fingerprint readers will read a
> fingerprint even if it's not on your finger. Also, they will logon a
> fingerprint that looks sufficiently similar to yours, while not being
> exactly yours.
>
> ---
> Ted Zieglar
> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>
> Jeff wrote:
>> I just got a new notebook with a fingerprint reader. Are fingerprint
>> readers really that secure? Can't they be easily by-passed?
>>
>> I also have a BIOS password, but it does not come into play when the
>> notebook hibernates. Then it only asks for the fingerprint.
>>
>> Jeff

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Jeff;
Some are intended for convenience only and are not intended to be used for
security.
Check with the laptop manufacturer for details on the specific convenience
or security provided by such a device.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"Jeff" > wrote in message
...
>I just got a new notebook with a fingerprint reader. Are fingerprint
>readers really that secure? Can't they be easily by-passed?
>
> I also have a BIOS password, but it does not come into play when the
> notebook hibernates. Then it only asks for the fingerprint.
>
> Jeff

[Ted Zieglar]

Yes.

---
Ted Zieglar
"Backup is a computer user's best friend."

Jeff wrote:
> That's what I thought. If I understand you correctly, it seems like a good
> password is still the better choice.
>
> Jeff
>
> Ted Zieglar wrote:
>> Depends on how much security you need. Fingerprint readers will read a
>> fingerprint even if it's not on your finger. Also, they will logon a
>> fingerprint that looks sufficiently similar to yours, while not being
>> exactly yours.
>>
>> ---
>> Ted Zieglar
>> "Backup is a computer user's best friend."
>>
>> Jeff wrote:
>>> I just got a new notebook with a fingerprint reader. Are fingerprint
>>> readers really that secure? Can't they be easily by-passed?
>>>
>>> I also have a BIOS password, but it does not come into play when the
>>> notebook hibernates. Then it only asks for the fingerprint.
>>>
>>> Jeff
>
>