Fingerprint reader useful?

Is anyone using the fingerprint scanner? Finding it useful? In what way? For what purpose(s) do you use it?

I got one on my T60, but, since I mostly have the T60 docked, don;t always have access. Now am thinking of getting IBM desktop keyboard, and note that one model has fingerprint scanner included, and wondering if I should go for that. (Alternative model has advantage of having exactly the same layout as T60 keyboard.)

Thanks

Saul

 

I use mine for everything--it's much easier than remembering a bunch of different passwords and much safer than using one password for everything. I think they'll eventually become even more common than they are now. Just imagine getting a prompt to scan your finger as opposed to typing in a password.

 

Do you find it slow? I've heard it's slower than typing a password.

Also, I've heard it doesn't work with every site and every browser. (What browser do you use?)

Anyway, I have mine disabled right now. But I would feel very cool if I used it.

Chris

 

I'd say that it's an aquired taste. Once you get the hang of it, you learn how to slide your finger so it will take everytime. Like I said before, I like not having to remember multiple passwords--if that's not an issue for you, you might not think it worthwhile. But the cool factor can't be underestimated!

 

Just saw that microsoft makes a mouse with a fingerprint scanner. Do you suppose this would serve the same function exactly, for teh times my T60 is docked and closed?

S

 

My ex-girlfriend knew what I used for passwords and eventually started digging into my files. The same thing could happen with friends, coworkers or others who would be interested in personal info or business related data. If you just pick a really weird password for backup and never use it, it is much less likely to be picked up by others. A fingerprint cannot be guessed. If there is confidential data (patient data in my case) on your system, I think a fingerprint scan is superior protection.

 

I second mikeponm. yeah, you don't need to type your password superfast so that the person beside you won't know what you type. (I know that good manners should guide us not to look when others are typing their passwords, but the are just some people...) while others are looking, just slide your finger in the reader and watch their jaws drop..

 

When I am alone I type the password. When other people are around I use the fingerprint scanner, for the reason given by glentium.

 

And that, my friends, is exactly the kind of stuff that turns a girlfriend into an ex-girlfriend.

 

I love the fingerprint reader for two reasons:

It's really easy to use
I use rather lengthy passwords (10-12 characters)

Mine usually works 1st try.

 

@Fred
Yes, that is good so that we do not totally rely on the FFR and won't forget our cryptic MD5 HMAC SHA RIPEMD HMAC-SHA HMAC-RIPEMD passwords.

@Nooorm
also, the FFR tutorial is great.

 

I use the fingerprint reader all the time with my X60, my T60 unfortunately did not come with one. It is very secure and quick.

I don't know about swiping readers, but Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel tried one where it just scans the thumb. A paper print out failed and the only way to fool the reader is to get a circuitboard, some UV light, phosphate tranparency, some acid, another few steps they left out, and then balistics gel. Which took a total of three days.

 

Is the fingerprint scanner used only for logging onto the machine, or can it also be used to log into websites (such as this one) or access password protected files/folders?

 

You can also use it to sign on to web sites. Here is an overview of things you can do with the fingerprint reader: http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/security/fingerprintreader.html

 

same here..
usually works on 1st try once i got the idea how to do it..
password managment is easy..
and no one can deny the fact that... its cooool..

 

Implication of several postings is that you can transparently choose either to enter passwors or scan finger (e.g., on websites). Is that the case? So, if I'm working with my T60 docked (and therefore closed), I can just go back to old-fashioned passwords?

Thx

 

@Shiffman - Yes

 

At the Windows logon screen, for example, you can either type in your password or you can simply swipe your finger without having to touch the keyboard or the mouse.

 

FYI, fingerprint scanners can be faked out with a gummy bear. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/05/16/gummi_bears_defeat_fingerprint_sensors/

 

I knew Gummy Bears were evil. Delicious, though. Deliciously evil.

 

That article was written in 2002. Fingerprint scanners have evolved quite a bit. Though I can't say anything about consumer products.
Would be interesting to find an recent article about it.

 

Here's a more recent and more harrowing tale: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/04/fingerprint_merc_chop/
*plays evil music*
Biometrics (fingerprints, retinal for personal use is still a bit away) have become cheaper and more widely used, not more foolproof. I use mine because I'm not paranoid, nor do I expect the data on my computer to cause outrage throughout the nation if it's stolen. I just hope nobody chops off my finger to get my sensitive data!
http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/11/play-doh-fingers-can-fool-90-of-scanners-sez-clarkson-u/
More recent, but same thing really.

 

Wonderful. Encourages me to activate mine!