Play-Doh Can Foil 90% of Most Fingerprint Scanning Security Systems

January 25, 2006

By Alice Hill

RealTechNews

 

Today, Fortune has a piece on plans by retail giants, Costco, Target, and Wal-Mart to move to fingerprint biometric technology as a way of cutting down on fraud and to expedite check-out line time. Sounds good, but it turns out that a simple “finger” molded from Play-Doh can foil 90% of these systems. We say: D’oh. (Couldn’t resist!)

 

Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Stephanie Schuckers and her team at Clarkson University found that most scanning systems can be fooled 90% of the time by taking a mold of the mark’s finger, filling the mold with Play-Doh, and using the fake digit to gain access. Don’t go running out to Toys ‘R Us just yet, though, as the Clarkson team also designed an algorithm that detects the spread of perspiration from the pores out to the ridges of a live person’s finger, and is only foiled by the Play-Doh method 10% of the time. Source: Engadget

From Fortune:

 

Here’s how biometric payment works: To set up an account, customers scan their fingerprint at an in-store kiosk, enter their phone number, and then submit checking and credit card account information. To make a purchase, they place their finger on a scanner at the register, enter their phone number, and choose how they want to pay (credit, debit, or checking.) Source: Fortune

 

 

Then again...this could all be a Republican trick in order to keep tabs on such things as milk consumption..dog food habits or condom buying!!!!!!

 

Jewel has now installed the Pay-By-Touch system in many of their stores including one in Schaumburg. This system requires that the person who is paying has a pulse so it is not going to be fooled by a play-doh mold.

Jewel has now installed the Pay-By-Touch system in many of their stores including one in Schaumburg. This system requires that the person who is paying has a pulse so it is not going to be fooled by a play-doh mold.

 

Or by the Kansas City Royals, who also lack a pulse.

Here's a tip: Don't let people take a mold of your fingers. Duh!