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Fingerprint Scanner That Works From 6 Feet

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the welcome-to-the-future dept.

Bruce Schneier found a somewhat older story that I haven't seen before about a device that is smaller than a tissue box, but uses two 1.3 megapixel cameras and a polarized light source to scan a fingerprint from two meters away.

5 of 83 comments (clear)

  1. Re:this sounds very useful for you by i+kan+reed · · Score: 3, Insightful

    But they would have a picture of who it was who showed the fake fingerprint if they have security issues.

  2. Isn't this bad for fingerprint scanners? by zill · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Fingerprint Sniffer That Works From 6 Feet

    Doesn't this technology invalidate all existing fingerprint scanners? An attacker can easily mine the fingerprints of every employee of a company by leaving a few innocent looking rocks in their parking lot.

    1. Re:Isn't this bad for fingerprint scanners? by MischaNix · · Score: 5, Insightful

      People don't give a damn about the validity of their existing security technologies. They just like the feeling of security.

  3. Re:Hook up a second camera by louic · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I am not a lawyer, but the USA have proven often enough that they think they can do whatever they want for "national security", no matter whether it is legal or not.

  4. Re:Why? by milkmage · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Why? because you didn't read:

    "Currently, individuals entering a military installation must place their fingers on a scanner, with a Marine standing beside them to help ensure a viable print. Powell would prefer there to be a safe distance between the Marine and the person being scanned."

    aside from personal safety, if you don't touch the pad, you don't smudge it.. thus the part about "viable print"