Body sweat might become the upcoming biometric security system
What's the story
Amidst ongoing debates about the superiority of fingerprint-based and face-based biometric security systems, researchers at the University of Albany in the US have come up with a novel approach - using sweat!
This new biometric authentication approach which uses body sweat might be one of the most secure ways to unlock smartphones and other wearable, smart devices, say scientists.
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Why a new biometric authentication system is required
"Passwords and pins can easily be seen over someone's shoulder...there are many internet tutorials on how to create a fingerprint mold that is capable of opening a device. There are also issues with facial recognition," said Jan Halamek, a University of Albany assistant professor.
Using sweat
How the new biometric system would work
The new proposed system would use users' body sweat to create unique amino acid profiles for each user for authentication purposes.
The profile would be created after a "monitoring period" where the device would continuously measure its owner's sweat levels throughout the day.
Skin secretions, or sweat, contains very small molecules called metabolites which can be used as targets for analysis and authentication.
Advantages
Advantages of using a sweat-based biometric security system
According to Jan Halamek, one of the researchers, the tech can alter the way biometric systems work because "using sweat as an identifier cannot be easily mimicked/hacked by potential intruders."
This system, apart from being more secure, would also aid people who cannot use extant biometric systems due to disabilities.
The researchers are now looking to collaborate with engineers for implementation.