Ethics Reader- cyberethics ch39

Biometrics is a technology that verifies a person’s identity by measuring a unique-to-the-individual biological trait. Biometric technologies include dynamic signature verification, retinal/iris scanning, DNA identification, face-shape recognition, voice recognition and fingerprint identification.

Biometrics is the measuring of an attribute or behavior that is unique to an individual person. Biometrics includes measuring attributes of the human body – such as DNA, iris/retina patterns, face shape, and fingerprints – or measuring unique behavioral actions, such as voice patterns and dynamic signature verification.

Before biometrics only physical objects or behaviors based-on-memory were used to identify a computer user. Physical objects include smartcards or magnetic-stripe cards – behaviors based-on-memory includes the act of entering a PIN number or a secret password.

The primary use of a physical objects or behaviors based-on-memory has a clear set of problems and limitations. Objects are often lost or stolen and a behavior-based-on-memory is easily forgotten. Both types are often shared. The use of a valid password on a computer network does not mean that an identity is genuine. Identity cannot be guaranteed, privacy is not assumed and inappropriate use cannot be proven or denied. These limitations decrease trust and increase the possibility of fraud. These limitations are at the root of widespread distrust of the Internet, and these limitations are the biggest weakness in true network security.