Your Thoughts Are Your Password

Vitaly Friedman writes "Scientists hope that mind-reading computers will one day replace typed passwords, making fingerprint readers and retina scans obsolete. Skeptics say don't count on it. From the article: 'Researchers at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, are exploring the possibility of a biometric security device that will use a person's thoughts to authenticate her or his identity. Their idea of utilizing brain-wave signatures as pass-thoughts is based on the premise that brain waves are unique to each individual. Some researchers believe the difference might just be enough to create a system that allows you to log in with your thoughts.'"

Comments

Too good to be true?

[propellerhead_prime]

I for one, welcome our mind-reading computer overlords. Can't wait til MS gets a hold of mind reading technology. I am sure it will be totally secure...

Passing thoughts

[ashtophoenix]

What would suck is if someone's passing thought would unlock your door! With all those random thoughts in the atmosphere...

what if you're hit by a bus

[Speare]

This "thought password" is just another biometric, except one which even the actual owner can't be certain he can reproduce at will. If a sensor can non-invasively read your brain activity to open the door, then another sensor can non-invasively read your brain activity to try to reproduce the signature by fraud. It may or may not turn out to be easy to train a bunch of random lab biomass to reproduce a particular "thought." Lastly, a password is something that can be lent to authorized parties or bequeathed when you're no longer around. A biometric in general cannot. In some circumstances, this can be a good thing or a problem. A lawyer or boss can be the "executor" in your absense, but some situations are best when there is no proxy or executor middleman.

Re:First Thought password

[orangesquid]

"Invalid login. Please try again." Dammit. "Invalid login. Please try again." Goddammit. Piece of crap. "Invalid login. Please try again." ...As user becomes more agitated, probability of producing correct signatures decreases...

Re:Great...

[MrAnnoyanceToYou]

I'd love it if my computer wouldn't let me unlock it to write drunken e-mail at three AM.

Re:Your rights online??????

[geobeck]

...Aparently everyone's reaction is different.

But, as this Slashdot discussion proves once again, everyone's overreaction is the same.

This thing would get men in deep shit

[crovira]

every fifteen seconds and eventually, you see the actual object of your desire; after she's out on thirty pounds, sagging from a brace of kids, and fifteen years older.

You'd never be able to to get rid of the 'reality overlaid onto memory' and your pass 'thought' would simply stop working.

I'm sure I rather have the computer look at my finger prints or, for more secure applications, look me in the eye.