Biometrics: Its Effect in strengthening Phone Security

I went to a conference last week Saturday, and I was surprised by the incident that occurred. In one of my posts about the electricity conditions in my country, I mentioned how many regions lack electricity, leading people to power their gadgets anywhere they find electricity.

At the conference, there was light, and many sockets were available, which prompted many attendees to plug in their phones. Each person kept an eye on their own device. One lady had a guy sitting beside her before the event started.

As the meeting progressed, everyone forgot about their plugged-in phones to concentrate on the conference feeling the atmosphere was a safe one. When the power was interrupted, everyone rushed to retrieve their phones. Of all the phones plugged, hers was missing, and there was no trace of who took it. The coordinator asked if she had secured her phone with security features, and she said no. Among all the phones plugged into that section, only one was stolen, as others were inaccessible without unlocking first. This incident inspired me to write this post.

WHAT IS BIOMETRIC

According to wiki.com, "Biometrics refers to the automated recognition of individuals based on their biological and behavioral characteristics." With advancements in technology, biometrics play a significant role in the identification and security purposes. Various types of mobile biometrics for authentication include fingerprints, voice and facial recognition, and finger patterns, among others.

Source

According to optimalidm.com
The types of biometrics can be grouped into two main categories: physiological biometrics and behavioral biometrics.

This category of biometrics analyzes physical measurements of the human body, such as the face, fingerprints, hand geometry, retina, iris, and more. Physiological biometrics can include:

 –Fingerprints

Vein recognition

 –Iris recognition



 –Retina scanning



 –Facial recognition



 –Ear recognition

Behavioral biometrics are increasingly being used for passive authentication, often as an additional layer of security. This involves measuring and tracking patterns in the way an individual moves, behaves, or uses something physically.

The above-mentioned are available in smartphones, from my own observation, the most commonly used is the fingerprint. The majority of people with smartphones still don't make use of any of these biometrics for privacy and security purposes and it is surprising. Just like what happened to the lady's phone I shared with us, had it been she used any of the biometrics, the person who stole the phone wouldn't have because he or she would know he wouldn't be able to unlock it.

Among the different biometric options, fingerprint recognition remains my most preferred because I feel it is accurate and offers strong protection against hackers and fraudsters. Each person's fingerprint is unique, ensuring enhanced security and privacy.

However, there are reasons why some people prefer PIN passwords for their phone security. The fear of malfunctions or failures in recognizing their biometric data can prevent individuals from relying solely on these features. For example, facial recognition might fail to unlock a phone under certain conditions, leading some users to opt for more traditional security methods like PIN passwords.

In conclusion, mobile biometrics offer a highly secure and personalized method for smartphone authentication. Utilizing features like fingerprint recognition can significantly enhance phone security and protect against theft and unauthorized access. While there may be concerns about malfunctions, advancements in biometric technology continue to improve accuracy and reliability. It is essential for smartphone users to consider adopting these advanced security measures to safeguard their devices and personal information effectively.

REFERENCE

wiki

optimalidm.com

ovic.vic.gov.au