Passwords are not secure these days because of the high number of cyber-attacks and data breaches. Passwords have many drawbacks like memorizing all passwords and keeping them different from each other. Most people use the same password for all of their online accounts which is not a safe practice. Because if some criminal gets access to your one account’s password that means that now he can access all of your accounts. The account security is compromised when it comes to secure it with username password-based authentication.
The best solution for account security is to protect it with biometric verification.
Biometric Verification
It is often called “Something You Are” in the Know Your Customer industry. “Something You Are” means that using the characteristics (biometrics) of a person for his verification. Biometrics are unique to every person, its distinct feature makes it the most effective method for account security. The most commonly used biometrics are fingerprints, eyes, and face. Most mobile phones have a fingerprint scanner and front camera that can be used for biometric verification. Eye scanner is used for door opening or attendance of employees. Users feel more comfortable using fingerprint or face for phone unlocking than password or pin because this method is more fast and reliable.
How does Biometric Authentication work?
It should be clear that biometric verification uses fuzzy matches for verification because it is impossible to have the exact match for biometrics every time. Sometimes the hand is wet or dirty, the scanner will not work in case of an exact match.
Fingerprint Scanner
The digital print of the fingerprint is captured when the user sets the fingerprint biometric verification. There are three types of a fingerprint scanner
Optical Scanner
It clicks the image of the fingerprint, classifies its pattern, and then converts it into a code during biometric identification. When it comes to biometric authentication it does the same with the new fingerprint and matches the code with the previous biometric code.
Capacitive Scanner
This scanner is used in mobile phones and laptops, it recognizes the electron signals sent by the fingers of the user. It uses the air gap and touchpoints to make a completely unique print.
Ultrasonic Scanner
It sends ultrasonic waves to the fingerprint that reflect back to the scanner forming a map of the fingerprint. This scanner is like a capacitive scanner and is used in most latest smartphones.
Face Biometrics
It uses Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms to select specific and distinct features of a face. There are different features of a face like chin roundness, the distance between eyes, nose height, depth, and thinness of the skin surface. These characteristics are also called face templates. These features are different from regular photographs because the photograph is just a 2D print of the face. Face templates along with skin wrinkles, color and texture make a unique print of the face.
It becomes inefficient in poor lighting and other physical circumstances. It does verify an authentic user if its facial features by age like beard or face extraction. Furthermore, it needs to be updated after regular intervals for effective results.
Eye Scanner
Eye scanner is as much effective as fingerprints along with touchless biometric identification. The iris of a person is the same for the lifetime of a user, so there is no need to update its database like face biometrics. It captures the regular picture of the eye and a photograph with infrared light. Then it removes irregularities from the picture like eyelashes and dirt particles in the eye. It converts the image into a code and encrypts it. When verifying the iris of the user it uses the same techniques. As it uses its own light there is no condition of proper light for eye verification.
Summing it Up
Biometric security system has its advantages and drawbacks as well. Advantages include passwordless account security and no threat of copying the biometrics. In online biometric verification, a user has to physically present in front of the scanner, eliminating the risk of identity theft. The database in which biometrics information is stored needs to be secure. Because if this information gets hacked, it is lost forever you can’t change it like passwords, but the chances of database hacking are very little. Despite its drawbacks, biometric identification system is the most secure and reliable way of account security. The biometric scanners are cheap, so the expenses are also very less. All online businesses must deploy online biometric verification for their customers’ account security.
