Biometric Devices

PCs use biometrics for security. Biometric security devices scan and remember

unique aspects of various body parts such as your retina, iris, head image, or fingerprint,

using some formof sensing device such as a retinal scanner. This information

is used as a key to prevent unauthorized people fromaccessing whatever

the biometric device is securing.Most biometric devices currently used in PCs

secure only themselves. The USB thumb drive in has a tiny finger-

USB thumb drive with fingerprint scanner (courtesy of Lexar

Media, Inc.)

print scanner. You slide your finger (any finger, you choose) over the drive to

unlock the contents of the thumb drive.

Less common are biometric security devices that secure entire computers.

The Microsoft fingerprint scanner is a USB device that replaces standard user

name and password security. When a program or Web site asks for a user name and password, you

simply press your finger against the fingerprint scanner. It will confirm your

identity (assuming your fingerprint matches), and then special software that

comes with the scanner will supply the program or Web site with your stored

user name and password.

No matter what biometric device you use, you follow the same steps to

make it work:

1. Install the device.

2. Register your identity with the device by sticking your eye, finger, or

other unique body part (why are you snickering?) into the device so it

can scan you.

3. Configure its software to tell the device what to do when it recognizes

your scanned identity.