Microsoft adding Biometric Security to Windows 10
Other companies have pioneered fingerprint based authentication until now and just when we were curious about Security issues, news arrived that Microsoft is taking a much bigger step than this for biometric security in Windows 10. For years, biometric authentication has been a sci-fi staple. Biometric Technology’s bits and pieces exist here and there in the most popular technologies like the TouchID fingerprint sensors used on previous versions of iPhones and iPads.
New Security features of Windows 10?
With the arrival of Windows 10, Microsoft is planning to go big with Biometric Technology. Maybe it was not possible with the older and slower Internet Explorer, that is why Microsoft waited to just launch this plan on Windows 10 after the exit of Internet Explorer and it is easier to manage a single platform like a new OS- Windows 10. The new Operating System will support biometric authentication with the help of “using your face, iris or fingerprint to unlock your devices with a technology much much safer than traditional passwords”.
Special Hardware and Passport requirement
The existing devices with fingerprint sensors that can be upgraded to Windows 10 will support fingerprint recognition, but it will need a special hardware to read your face or eyes that would built into the upcoming Windows 10 devices. The cameras use Infrared technology to for face or iris recognition in varying light conditions. And Microsoft even believes that it would safe for use by the government, defense, banking sectors etc.
But, you need to carry your passport along with this. Passport is the code name of a programming system that developers and managers can use to provide a secure way to let you sign in to their website or app. Instead of using a password, Windows 10 helps to authenticate websites and apps without the help of a password. Once your system knows that you have logged in, you will not need further logging in to various apps and website frequently.
What is the future?
This new security feature from Microsoft sounds really nice but at the same time it sounds scary when there is one type of authentication to gain access to all other apps and different accounts on that device. The team at Microsoft, when they started working on this feature, they spent a lot of time in trying to make these devices personal. They want the devices to recognise the user and understand what the user is trying to say and that will take time but surely be able to build trust around technology.
Dhruvil is a Writer & Marketeer for Nimblechapps, joined in December 2014, based out of Sydney, Australia. He has worked briefly as a Branding and Digital Marketing Manager before moving to Australia. At Nimblechapps, he worked on Social Media Marketing, Branding, Email Marketing and Blogging. Dhruvil studies Business at University of Western Sydney, and also handles Operations for the company in Australia.