DigitalIDNews | Researchers hack facial biometrics

Monday, February 16, 2009

Researchers from the Hanoi University of Technology in Vietnam have announced that they have successfully hacked facial biometric software found on certain laptops from Toshiba, Lenovo and Asus, according to an article from The Industry Standard.

As the researchers planned to reveal their methods for attacking the software at the Black Hat DC conference in late February, they informed the companies who used the software, who have since stopped the use of it.

Additionally, the researchers were able to hack the software in multiple ways including both through using a regular photo of the user and by repeatedly trying random pictures until it would let one through. As more modes of biometrics for computer protection are found to have serious security holes, many are wondering whether some biometric protection truly is more secure than passwords or phrases.

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Luxand releases free facial recognition software

Luxand announced release of a free, downloadable version of its Blink! facial recognition software. The software provides as a biometric-based login service Windows 7 and Windows Vista operating systems via a user’s regular webcam. In addition to authenticating the individual accessing the computer, Blink! also takes and records a still image of each person trying to access the computer to help prevent unauthorized access, and touts the ability to correctly recognize stored faces despite poor lighting conditions or basic changes in a user’s look such as glasses or hair cuts.

Military using biometrics to categorize Afghans

U.S. soldiers stationed in Afghanistan are depending on various biometric devices and the enrollment of Afghani citizens into their databases to better tell civilians from militants and other criminals in the area, according to a CJTF-101 article.

Bone biometrics holds potential for new security systems

Skeletal scanning technology developed at Wright State University could hold potential as a new biometric mode particularly effective in weeding out people of interest from crowds, according to an Ubergizmo article.

Animetrics releases facial recognition for mobile phones

Animetrics has announced the release of a new facial recognition authentication service available on certain mobile phones.

The service, called FaceR CredentialME, is available on devices using the Android, Windows Mobile and RIM operating systems on the Sprint 3G or 4G networks and was launched in conjunction with Troy Security Solutions, a mobile products and solutions provider.

SIA defends biometrics from Alaskan bill

The Security Industry Association (SIA), a member-based group that advocates on behalf of the security industry in the U.S., has publicly opposed a Bill in Alaska that restricts biometric technology in the state, according to a Security Info Watch article.

Research finds use for HVAC ducts as wireless monitoring

A new study conducted by a team of researchers has found a way to implement wireless monitoring technology by tapping in a building’s heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HIVAC) ducts, according to EurekAlert.

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Researchers hack facial biometrics