Page 109 - Cyber Defense eMagazine for July 2020

Source: Apple Insider

It is also important to note that biometric authentication systems have not been around as long as
password-based systems. Consequently, they suffer from more bugs and growing pains. False positives
or negatives occur frequently, and this can lead to frustration when an authorized user is denied access
or, more seriously, when the wrong person is granted access due to a false positive identification. A
research team from New York University created an artificial intelligence platform that was able to
successfully recreate full fingerprints from partial prints. The recreated fingerprints were able to fool a
biometric authentication system 20% of the time.

Last but not least, biometric authentication systems can often be biased against users who cannot easily
submit biometrics. This includes handicapped people who may have experienced a change in their
biometric details due to an injury. For example, a badly cut finger may lead to scarring that makes a
fingerprint unrecognizable, and as a result, revokes access.

Passwords Are Here to Stay

Although the use of passwordless methods are on the rise, it seems that passwords will remain the
mainstream authentication method for the near future. So, to make using passwords as simple and
secure as possible, there are a few simple steps you can take.

Cyber Defense eMagazine –July 2020 Edition 109
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