Researcher raises alarm about biometric hacking with "biologger" tool
[Image courtesy IRM white paper]
Posts with tag biometric
Considering just how well the first round of RFID ePassports withstood subversion attempts from hackers, we're amazed that anything needs to be tweaked at all. Sarcasm aside, NXP is all set to make Germany the first country on the planet to utilize second-generation ePassports, as the EU-set deadline to migrate doesn't pass until June of 2009. The new passports will include a SmartMX chip that allows biometric data to be "securely stored on the passport," and the 80kb of onboard storage also holds the individual's photo, name, and date / country of birth. Of note, NXP even goes so far as to gloat about the chip's ability to "guard against attack scenarios," but we'll be interested to see how long it takes the oh-so-motivated hacking community to find a backdoor when these launch later this month.
The kit recently unveiled by the Medical Electronic Science Institute most certainly has some homegrown competition, as it too seeks to record and wirelessly transmit "ECG signals and motion, as well as heart rate and epidermal skin temperature" to mobile phones or PCs. The body-worn sensor utilizes "low power consumption RF transmission," which purportedly enables it to broadcast a constant signal for "up to 48 hours" on a single charge. Notably, the kit includes a "USB receiver, sensor transmitter, lithium battery, electrode sheet and software," but no price seems to be given. Oh, and hit the read link for a quick video of the package in action.
Biometric door locks are far from new, but eKey's Biometric Entry System ups the ante over traditional iterations by putting more than just one of your digits to work. The Bio-View biometric access system enables your various fingers to control different tasks, meaning that swiping your index finger could open or lock a door, while your middle finger controls the security system. Additionally, the unit includes "an adjustable camera and intercom," and it can be configured "with a wide range of options and colors." The device is said to even be compatible with several third-party apparatus, and while you can certainly hit the read link for more details on eKey's latest, we'll hopefully be getting a much closer look ourselves when it debuts at CEDIA.
Snappy retinal scanners have been in the works for some time, and now Panasonic is apparently hoping to hasten those annoying ID checks by enabling security personnel to confirm the true identity of a person walking through in just "two seconds." Additionally, this scanner does not require subjects to "focus on the equipment," packs "multiple two-megapixel cameras," and in case you couldn't guess, is being marketed towards airports and high-security office buildings. No word just yet on when these may be rolled out for public use, but anything (well, almost) that speeds up our traveling is smiled upon by us.
Considering all the companies that have already (or almost) jumped on the cashless bandwagon, it follows logic that another duo of Japanese firms are bringing their own biometric payment system to the forefront. Reportedly, Hitachi and JCB Co. Ltd. are working hand in hand (ahem) to develop a system that would "identify the veins on a person's finger" in order to sync with their credit card or bank data and complete a purchase. As expected, the companies are pushing their creation as a safer and more reliable method of paying for items, and while there's no telling how quickly customers are apt to implement said technology, Hitachi has reportedly stated that it would "launch an experiment in September involving 200 of its employees to see if it is commercially viable to introduce the system in shops, banks and other businesses."
In the fight against unwanted jerks checking out and/or messing with your sensitive files, IOGEAR has taken matters into its own hands with a new fingerprint-reading mouse. The mouse -- which contains a convenient, built in biometric reader -- will scan the identity of you and four loved-ones with a confidence-stoking accuracy of more than 99%. In addition, the device is coated with the company's "Nano Shield" which prevents totally gross garbage like bacteria, fungus and algae from surviving on the surface. So, if you're super-paranoid about both germs and computer security, your wallet is probably going to get about $80 lighter real soon.







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