How useful is fingerprint reader?

Dear friends,

I have seen mixed reactions over thinkpad's fingerprint reader. Some said its useless whereas some people found no problem at all. I am still confused whether I should retain or remove fingerprint reader from my recent order of T60. I would appreciate if you could let new comers (like me) know your true experiences about finger print reader so that we could be benifited.

Best regards
Kaji

 

Since you've already ordered there's absolutely no reason to re-order without it. It's not as if it hurts anything by being there, aside from the miniscule power consumption.

It works well enough for me. About 1 in 20 times at the login screen it won't notice that I scanned my finger and I have to do it again. A couple of times it's refused to read one of my fingers because it was very dry, so I used one of the others and it worked fine. Most of the time, it works fine and takes less time than typing in my passwords.

 

I don't have a ThinkPad, but my HEL80 has an integrated fingerprint scanner. When I first decided on this system I thought the scanner would be a feature that I would never use.

It actually comes in very handy. Now I use OmniPass and I'm not sure what the ThinkPads use so it may differ a little. You can make Windows login dependent on your fingerprint and you should also be able to encrypt files for security as well using your fingerprint. But the feature I use the most is saving all my passwords for the websites that I visit.

 

I think the Fingerprint Reader is very useful. I don't really have any problems with it - more with Client Security 7 (A big mistake on Lenovo's part to release such a buggy program).

 

I think it depends on how you use your computer. I don't use a windows logon password. So, while the software works fine, for me the fingerprint reader is a neat but expendable gadget.

Even if you do use more passwords and encryption, it's only purpose is to add a bit of convenience. It doesn't hurt anything, though, so unless you are going to save a bunch of money by taking it off, I see no reason to remove it.

 

Its fast, EZ to use, and better than memorizing another password.

 

Well that's not true though - I sure hope you still have that password memorized. If you don't, you're setting yourself up for a disaster. From needing to let someone get onto your computer to the software or actual reader getting messed up, not having the password that encrypts all your data is not the best idea.

 

The wonder of it is that you only have to remember one password, even if your fingerprint reader dies. Now, if your security chip dies (something I've not ever even read of happening), then you're up **** creek without a paddle.

 

Actually, it's true, you don't have to 'memorize' another password. He didn't say you don't have to keep a record of your password.
All you need is a master password which, for security reason you should NOT BE ABLE to remember, to associate with your fingers. Keep that password on a CD AND a floppy, and put it in the safe of your bank.

Any passwords that you can remember is not strong enough to be considered secure. For things that matter, you should use passwords which are generated by a good password generator and be pasted into the field and be kept a record and stored in a safe. All you need to do is swipe your finger, and when the unfortunate happens that the reader is messed up, get your copy out of the bank and do whatever you see fit.

 

Thanks for the tip!

 

They can be, if you're like me and have many years of practice at remembering completely random 16 character passwords, but unless you want to go to that trouble or if you haven't been doing it for 12 years, it might be hard.

All of my passwords are random letters, numbers, and punctuation.

 

Like I said, then what do you do if you needed to let someone else use your computer... or say you needed someone to get info off your computer while you were gone?

Sure, you could go through 18 more steps, making sure there is a CD and floppy hidden in secret vaults throughout the city that require some da vinci code adventure to get into.... OR, you could just remember your fricken password.

This isn't worth arguing about, and you can certainly do whatever you want and whatever works for you. But, I think not knowing your passwords is just asking for trouble.

 

Is it possible to use the scanner to initiate a macro? (e.g. scan the finger -> load VPN -> log in VPN -> minimize VPN -> load Firefox, etc etc?

 

HOLYSHIT! what is it that you do, that requires this much security!

 

Some people keep sensitive data (financial and otherwise) on their computers. Others keep confidential client information on their computers.

BTW, if I wanted someone else to use my computer, they'd have their own user account and their own enrolled fingerprints. If I was away, I'd have my computer with me. And if I had any data I couldn't afford to lose, it'd be backed up on CD or DVD in encrypted form and stored with a copy of the key. (which would be password protected, of course!) Lucky me, the closest thing to sensitive information I have is a web page that hasn't gone live yet.