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Exterior of Fingerprint Reader
The Microsoft Fingerprint Reader is a device sold by Microsoft that augments normal passwords with the fingerprint of a user for convience. Launched September 4, 2004[1], the device requires Windows XP to run[2].
At a Black Hat conference a researcher discovered that the fingerprint stored in the device is not encrypted, and could be acquired by a determined hacker[1], provided he had physical access to the device and its connected computer. The device otherwise has limited capabilities - it lets the user perform the initial login to Windows XP, and perform logins to websites using a variety of browsers, but can't be used to log into screen savers. The Fingerprint Reader does not replace login names and passwords, however, it stores those in its own internal database and interactively sends them to compatible applications and websites. It is useful in an office or campus environment, where its use may prevent others from seeing logins and passwords being keyed in, and can also be useful on shared computers, where different users can authenticate their unique access to applications and sites.
Footnotes
- ^ a b Robert McMillan. "Researcher Hacks Microsoft Fingerprint Reader", IDG News Service, 2006-03-06. Retrieved on 2006-05-04.
- ^ Microsoft Fingerprint system requirements. Retrieved on 2006-05-04.
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