Security Without Passwords?

Diane hit what could be a killer app. The medical usage affects could be enormous.

Wow!

I find this fascinating. Does this software/avi rest on the device itself? Or is it dependent on a good cell signal?

Diane: There was an episode in Stargate SG1 where this advanced society constantly monitored the health of it's people. It allowed medical help to arrive before someone knew they were sick. This was accomplished by wearing a bracelet. Another purpose for smart watches?

In reading Neil Licht's comments, it sounds like we are further along than I thought. If Neil is right, we're getting closer to Star Trek every day! Beam me up!

Do I get a Snickers for throwing in two different Sci-fi references?

I find the Google Authenticator app is an excellent way of providing a level of security that is tied to a specific user and their phone. I just wish more security conscious companies would incorporate the app into their online applications.

Security. Security. Will this be optional? Can it be turned off? Knowing that some hacker (and it will, eventually, be hacked)or dis-honest employee could have access to such, dare I say, 'intimate' information is truly frightening. Does anyone else think that this app may open flood gates that cannot be closed?

Big Brother is here, but it's not the Government, It's Big Business who is keeping tabs on your every move.

When I left the nuclear electric power plant field 20 years ago, we were using a hand scanner for access authorizaton. I see some problems with this new use of biometrics. Suppose I am injured and I have the only cell phone available. No one else can use my phone. Biometrics for gun control has some of the same problems. Suppose I see a police officer down. I can't grab his weapon and take out the shooter. Extreme situations, yes.

But I don't want my phone tied to just my use. I want to be able to give it's PIN number, or password, to someone else I trust. If no other reason if something happens to me where I am not able to use it.

Hey Frank! Where's YOUR weapon to take out the shooter a lot sooner?

As to passwordless technology, we've been heading this way for a long time. Passwords are notoriously problematic, especially for the user creating and trying to remember them! Biometrics can surely be mimicked, and therefore proven just as useless as passwords, just not as easily.

I agree with Frank in that an API which is dependent upon one set of biometrics, which does not account for injury, sudden medical condition, or even the changes in a person during, say, a hostage situation, a fire, an explosion, etc. etc. etc. is very problematic. Shoot, waking up "on the wrong side of the bed" attitude really messes with a person's biometrics.

This is one tech show I'm really going to enjoy watching, especially when Bob keeps us so well informed about it. Thank you, Bob!!

This worries me....

"It recognizes your face, your voice, the rhythm of your movements, and the way you type, combining many biometric measurements into a digital signature that uniquely identifies the authorized user of a phone."

So does that mean that if I'm injured in a car accident and there's blood on my face and my voice is trembling and high-pitched by stress, that my PHONE isn't going to work? The voice recognition software in my car specifically recommends against using voice dialing when you're under stress, BECAUSE your voice will be different enough to be unrecognized, and that's WITHOUT the requirement that it be specifically recognized as MY voice - like a biometric ID would.

Eyes; does that mean that if I have a black eye or my eyes are bleeding that I can't call for help?

This doesn't offer much security; a good mimic could duplicate the way I tap or type, and if I'm injured I might not be able to do it myself.

Bob, you made some valid points, when you stated how would Abacus adapt, to bona-fide changes in your biometric signals, such as having a cold, growing a beard,or having an injured finger. Also, what about people who have a twin, or someone who sounds like you, or has similar features?

Although not having to remember passwords would make life easier, in my opinion, passwords are still safer than biometrics.

Good artical

Google is more than happy to devour your entire information stash. It then becomes theirs, to do with as they please.

Scietists and teckies often think everything can be solved by science & technology! Not in this world!

I went back to a password when I cut my finger and the laptop didn't recognize the "backup finger"!

I don't know about you, but I have so little faith in google, I stay as far away from it as I can get.

After reading thru the comments, this thot came to me. What about the person with Parkinson's. The tremor will certainly vary with many things, including the medications. A good case of laryngitis could leave you with no alternative but finding a pay phone. Or have these vanished like the dodo? I pretty much have quit watching creature features. Some of Bob's stuff is very alarming. As is the 10:00 news. BTW, My iDrive came today. I have backed up into the cloud. (I hope it doesn't rain.)

I would think that the biometrics would be bypassed to allow emergency calls anyone from the phone. Enter 911 or whatever the emergency number is in your particular country and the phone an be used for that number only without going through the phones security system.

Reminds me of the series called persons of interest.
Great show and all too real in the direction that people in high places are willing to go. AI is either here or just around the corner. Are you ready for total enslavement?

Ray: Big business was already in charge in the 1980s series "Max Headroom". Anybody remember him/it?

Be careful what you ask for...
Strong and maintained passwords have never been rocket science!
"On the other, other hand", the argument about apples/oranges equally apply to freedom/safety.
What of those %$#@ passwords to log-in to websites? Or did we get rid 'them' passwords too?
And would that now mean that some of my [your?] google-trusted biometrics data will be shared with whomever?

Remember when window's security was beefed up and so if you changed too much of your computer's hw all at once you'd be locked out of your own machine? Wondering what they'll do so that folks who have an extreme life-changing situation like an accident or stroke can do to access their phone? And will this failsafe be a backdoor be the hacker?