June 10, 2005
The password for your next phone is... on the tip of your finger
As mobile phones get more sophisticated, is a PIN or password sufficient to keep them from prying eyes? Help is at hand or, more specifically, on your fingertips, reports the BBC.
"If you're cell phone has some of the latest functions, there could be private pictures, e-mails, work documents and favourite internet sites, all in the hands of a thief.
All the thief has to do is unlock it, which is usually straightforward, or crack the PIN.
But consumers should soon be able to fight back with a new weapon - their fingerprints.
Biometric technology is already well known for its controversial use on the UK's proposed new identity cards. But the integration of fingerprint sensors on to mobile phones, laptops and PCs is still relatively new.
Several companies are racing to have their fingerprint security devices adopted for the potentially lucrative phone market.
The mobile market will pick up, Mr Kramer says, when m-commerce takes off. He also sees potential in using fingerprints to restrict adult content or gambling sites to under-18s".
The Permanent Link to this page is: http://www.textually.org/picturephoning/archives/2005/06/008645.htm