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Verifying a User By Following the Movements of Their Mouse

Posted by samzenpus on from the tracking-the-pad dept.

Harperdog writes "Tom Jacobs has a very cool little story about an Israeli research team introducing a novel way of verifying a computer is being operated by its rightful user. Its method, described in the journal Information Sciences, 'continuously verifies users according to characteristics of their interaction with the mouse.'"

5 of 101 comments (clear)

  1. Trackball by thed8 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    i use a trackball and because of carpall tunnel switch hands often. i guess they could ID me from that alone. but really telegraph operatos could tell who was sending in the 1800's. it took us long enough.

    1. Re:Trackball by PopeRatzo · · Score: 5, Interesting

      i use a trackball and because of carpall tunnel switch hands often. i guess they could ID me from that alone. but really telegraph operatos could tell who was sending in the 1800's. it took us long enough.

      I don't think they're trying to use this like fingerprints or retina. I gather (from not reading the article) that they just want to know if the person who usually uses this computer is the guy who is now using this computer. And I'm guessing that all the little ticks and taps that go on when you're reading something and just have your hand (left or right) resting on your ball (left or right) is pretty distinctive.

      It made me notice just now that I do a little rhythmic dance with my pointer while I'm reading. Like a nervous tic. I never realized that until just now.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
  2. Re:for now.. by jones_supa · · Score: 3, Interesting

    If you sneak into someone's office, how are you going to start such automation that replicates the behavior of the owner of the machine?

  3. Re:Index/Evidence by leuk_he · · Score: 4, Interesting

    If it is unique enough to identify (not verify ) you, then it could be used to proove user XXX did the fraudulant things on PC Y, instead of the logged on user YYY.

  4. Re:And then get locked out... by Hentes · · Score: 4, Interesting

    True, while this system is too unreliable to work on it's own, I can imagine a hybrid solution where it pops up a traditional password authentication if you move your mouse differently than usual. It could be of some use in high-security places in case an employee leaves the machine on and forgots to log out, but then if you have enemies gaining physical access to your security-sensitive stuff you have already failed.