Biometric Technology

Imagine unlocking the door to your house without a key. Instead, you put your hand on the doorknob and it opens. Or, instead of showing a photo identification (ID) card to take out a book from the school library, you place your finger on a special machine that examines your fingerprint and determines who you are. Welcome to the world of biometrics, the measure of personal characteristics like palmprints and Iris patterns, which is already replacing keys and photo IDs. Fingerprints are...
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Imagine unlocking the door to your house without a key. Instead, you put your hand on the doorknob and it opens. Or, instead of showing a photo identification (ID) card to take out a book from the school library, you place your finger on a special machine that examines your fingerprint and determines who you are. Welcome to the world of biometrics, the measure of personal characteristics like palmprints and Iris patterns, which is already replacing keys and photo IDs. Fingerprints are one of the oldest and most common biometrics. But these days scientists can also study behavioral biometrics, such as how someone walks or signs their name. Science at the Edge: Biometric Technology explains physical and behavioral biometrics, the equipment and technology needed for biometric systems, and how the equipment is used. Since biometric records are stored in databases, some people question whether this private information is properly protected. If you lose your keys, you can change your locks. If a database is broken into, you cannot change your fingerprints. Are the benefits off this new technology worth the risks? Read the facts and make up your own mind.