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Hashing Out the Next Step in Biometric Security

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the facial-hashing-sounds-painful dept.

ergo98 writes "CNN is running a story about biometric hashing. Using this technique, biometric inputs (such as facial characteristics) are altered based upon individual characteristics in a hopefully one-way process. The goal is to continue to reduce the risk of a back-end data exposure."

3 of 117 comments (clear)

  1. Biometric Encryption by bitkid · · Score: 4, Informative
    That sounds pretty old. Ever heard of Biometric encryption? The idea is to use a one-way hash on the biometrics, but also accounting for the fuzzy-ness in the reading. If the readings match, then the same hash comes out. Otherwise something random. See here...
  2. More Misdirection from the Biometric Community by tiny69 · · Score: 4, Informative
    Biometrics is one mechanism for authentication. The three mechanisms for authentication are generally grouped into, something you know (password), something you have (swipe card), and something you are (biometrics). If either of the first two become compromised, they can be changed. Biometric features on your body cannot be changed. This is the major flaw behind biometrics. So the biometric community periodically playes games with the data on the backend hoping to misdirect the users away from the major flaw. "See, we hash your data, so it's secure...."

    A story that is still relavent whenever biometrics is brought up:

    http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/7242_1301216,00 180008.htm

    --
    Go not unto/. for advice, for you will be told both yea and nay (but have nothing to do with the question)
  3. And for a reason by melted · · Score: 3, Informative

    Crooks aren't that smart. After Mercedes implemented fingerprint readers in some of their cars, there were several reports that some owners got their fingers cut off by thieves. These fingers, of course, could not start the car (no self-respecting fingerprint reader relies on fingerprint alone anymore), but that was not much of a relief for folks whose fingers got cut off.