Biometrics

Biometrics is using of the measurable physical characteristics of a human for access to the computer system.

In our days biometrics is becoming the more popular form of authentication to get access to restricted computer systems.

Biometric security makes use of unique physical characteristics to identify people when they are using a computer system. 

To achieve this, a person is uniquely identified by examining one or more biological traits.

This can be instead of, or in conjunction with, a traditional password or PIN-code.

Characteristics for biometric authentication can include:

- Physical characteristics:

• Fingerprints
• Finger geometry
• Facial recognition
• Retina or Iris patterns
• Vein recognition
• Voice recognition
• DNA

- Behavioral characteristics:

• Signature
• Gestures
• Typing

In recent years biometrics has become an increasingly feasible solution:

• Reduced cost
• Reduced size
• Increased accuracy
• Increased ease of use

The identification process of biometrics:

1. The unique characteristics of a person are stored in a database.
2. During authentication, the system reads biometric data
3. This data is compared with the stored record in the database.
4. If the data match, the identity is confirmed

Used source: https://www.computerscience.gcse.guru/theory/biometrics

Questions:

1. Explain the term "biometrics".

2. Name two physical and two behavioral characteristics.

3. Describe the benefits of using fingerprints on a smartphone.

Exercises:

Ex. 1 (Prepared by Alikhan, Akniyet and Takhmina, grade 12, group 1, 2021)

Exam questions: