Microsoft Fingerprint Reader Explained

Microsoft Fingerprint Reader was a device sold by Microsoft, primarily for homes and small businesses. The underlying software providing the biometrics was developed by Digital Persona.

Fingerprint readers can be more secure, reliable and convenient than a traditional password,[1] although they have been subject to spoofing. A fingerprint recognition system is more tightly linked to a specific user than, e.g., an access card, which can be stolen.[2]

History

First released on September 4 2004,[3] this device was supported by Windows XP and Windows Vista x86 operating systems.[4] It was discontinued shortly after Windows Vista was released.[5]

Functionality

The Fingerprint Reader's software allows the registration of up to ten fingerprints per device. Login names and passwords associated with the registered fingerprints were stored in a database on the user's computer.[6]

On presentation of an authorized fingerprint, the software passes the associated login names and passwords to compatible applications and websites, allowing login without a keyboard. If the software finds that the particular fingerprint does not match one it its database, it declines the access.

Application

64-bit Windows

The Microsoft Fingerprint Reader may be modified to work with 64-bit Windows.[7]

Firefox browser

The reader works with Firefox using the FingerFox Add-on.

See also

External links

WebArchive of MS Fingerprint home page

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Biometric Security: Are Inexpensive Biometric Devices Reliable Enough to Gain Wide-Spread Security Usage?. Thanh Tran. Brian. 2006-12-01. Inquiry.
  2. Web site: How Does A Fingerprint Scanner Work — The Application Of Biometrics. https://web.archive.org/web/20230330025801/https://fossbytes.com/how-does-a-fingerprint-scanner-work-the-application-of-biometrics/. 2023-03-30. dead. Tiwari. Aditya. 2016-03-27. Inquiry.
  3. News: Researcher Hacks Microsoft Fingerprint Reader. https://web.archive.org/web/20210220121824/https://www.pcworld.com/article/124978/article.html. 2021-02-20. dead. Robert McMillan. IDG News Service. 2006-03-06. 2006-05-04.
  4. Web site: Microsoft Fingerprint system requirements. https://web.archive.org/web/20090313034206/http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/support/fingerprintreader.mspx. 2009-03-13. dead. 2009-06-05.
  5. News: 11 weird products that you probably didn't know Microsoft made. Slater-Robins. Max. October 20, 2015. Business Insider. 2018-02-14.
  6. Web site: Fingerprint Reader - an overview ScienceDirect Topics . 2023-09-13 . www.sciencedirect.com.
  7. Web site: Microsoft Fingerprint Reader compatibility project - TeknoGods.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20180218210326/https://teknogods.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8653. 2018-02-18. dead. teknogods.com. en-gb. 2018-05-06.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Microsoft Fingerprint Reader".

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