Fingerprint authentication is popularly used nowadays. It is the most common and reliable form of biometric authentication. It uses the unique patterns of an individual’s fingerprint and processes them to allow or deny access to an application. It is simple, fast and convenient.
It offers a high level of security and has various applications across different industries. Most commonly, it is used in mobile phones with a backup like passwords.
Fingerprint authentication has certain limitations and obstacles despite its applicability and strength. Before you deploy it, you should identify how and why you need it.
How Fingerprint Authentication Works
Fingerprint authentication works by a user placing their finger (usually the thumb) on a fingerprint scanner or touch sensor, and then the scanner reads and processes the ridges, patterns, and unique qualities of the fingerprint. Everything is then converted to a digital device that reads data, processes the data, and applies it to verification.
To be more specific, when you touch a touch sensor to open an app, the scanner first takes a picture of your fingerprints and examines them. It then processes this captured image of your fingerprint and extracts each feature and characteristic. Ultimately, it compares your fingerprint to the previously stored record in the database. The system then determines whether to provide or refuse access based on the match.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Biometric Authentication
Advantages:
From higher security to convenience to efficiency, biometric authentication methods offer a variety of merits. Some major benefits of biometric authentication with a fingerprint are discussed below:
The approach of fingerprint authentication is non-intrusive. It does not call for direct eye contact or face scanning, in contrast to other biometric identification methods like eye or facial recognition.
The fact that each person has a unique fingerprint pattern and collection of characteristics adds even more security. It is more difficult to steal or compromise as a result.
Fingerprint authentication is quite convenient because it removes the need to carry access tokens or forget passwords. All users need to do is place their finger on the scanner. The procedure proceeds really quickly and produces results quickly.
The effectiveness and speed of fingerprint authentication are two other important benefits. It offers instant access to devices or systems and is quick and effective.
Additionally, fingerprint authentication is very scalable. This is because a large number of human users can access it. Everybody has a distinct and individual fingerprint.
Disadvantages:
Biometric authentication using fingerprints has many drawbacks despite its benefits. Among the drawbacks of fingerprint authentication are the following:
Damage to the touch sensor: Inaccurate results may arise from damage to the fingerprint or scanner sensor. This may expose or pose risks to private data.
Aside from physical damage, other electronic damage may occur and cause false positives or negatives when trying to touch sensors, which may lead to granting access to unauthorized persons.
Also, dirt on the fingerprint sensor can cause the sensor to read the wrong data. This is why it is important to clean the sensors and scanners of fingerprints often.
Permanence: Due to the fact that fingerprints cannot be changed if compromised, it has become a bit less accepted by users. Unlike passwords or pins that can easily be changed if forgotten or exposed.
Fingerprint authentication can still be exposed to attack with advanced technology. This is why it requires constant improvement and updates to stay ahead of any outside attack that may occur.
Applications of Fingerprint Authentication
Fingerprint authentication is used in many devices and security facilities in the digital age. The common ones are mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets, banks, access control, and border control.
You can record and store your fingerprint on your smartphone using the touch sensor to protect your private information. It also allows more than one individual’s fingerprint to be recorded. Hence, this allows you to choose who you want to be able to access your phone.
Fingerprint authentication can be used in banks also. For instance, you can use your fingerprint to access an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) to perform a transaction.
Some more advanced ways fingerprint authentication is implemented are in law enforcement, financial transactions, defense agencies, healthcare, voter registration, and commercial applications.
In law enforcement, fingerprint applications can be used in criminal identification and even in forensics. Banks and other financial institutions also use fingerprint authentication in processes like KYC (Know Your Customer).
Conclusion
Fingerprint authentication has added a new layer of security to the overall digital age technology. With its unique and accurate qualities, it has become a security measure that is more dependable and guaranteed. Its use in mobile devices is now common and has grown very popular, becoming users’ favorite to protect sensitive information.
Fingerprint authentication has become popular because of many of its features. One of the most common is its speed and convenience. This has made people adopt the use of fingerprints for verification. You do not have to carry tokens or struggle to remember or store passwords and pins. This also helps to improve user experience and not only save time.
In future technology, biometric authentication appears promising. There may be incorporation of this authentication method in Artificial Intelligence and other tech. This will help improve accuracy, dependability, and overall security.
