Heartbeat Could Replace Computer Passwords

[HardOCP News]

What a great idea, using your heartbeat as a password for your PC. Obviously you won't be able to log-in after your morning espresso or while watching porn...wait, this idea sucks!

The scientific team behind the concept successfully tested the concept of translating a human heartbeat into an encryption key by taking an electrocardiograph (ECG) reading from a person's palm. They were then able to extract the signature beat the heart makes and generate a secret key as part of an encryption scheme.

 

[cbutters]

whats wrong with fingerprints? seems like a much more secure method, sounds like a waste of grant money to me.... although it could be a good secondary method of verification...

 

[PremiumAcc]

Very cool. This will eliminate the need to remember a different string of characters for every account you own.

 

[CR2500]

One big advantage of using actual passwords is that the person who owns the account needs to be conscious and awake in order to enter the password.. besides obvious criminal uses, things like facial recognition to unlock a phone or fingerprint scanners on a laptop could easily be used on someone who passed out drunk or is in deep sleep.

 

[Ripperjack]

Obviously you won't be able to log-in after your morning espresso or while watching porn...wait, this idea sucks!

DAMN! I soooo looked forward to my morning cup of Joe, and a good [H]ard session on the Fleshlight.

 

[mzs_biteme]

Good luck with that and my arrhythmia!!!! Reset password = reset heart!!!

 

[OregonLAN]

I guess this is bad new for my EX because she is a heartless b1tch.

 

[PremiumAcc]

DAMN! I soooo looked forward to my morning cup of Joe, and a good [H]ard session on the Fleshlight.

Obviously, you log in first then watch porn and use your fleshlight after.

 

[/usr/sbin]

The idea of linking things like fingerprints to access computer, bank accounts, etc. is *really* stupid.

If they implement this, guess what's going to happen with muggings, etc? "Give me your wallet.... and your hand". If I need your fingerprint to access your PC/bank account, then I'm taking the finger with me as well.

 

[Xee]

The idea of linking things like fingerprints to access computer, bank accounts, etc. is *really* stupid.

If they implement this, guess what's going to happen with muggings, etc? "Give me your wallet.... and your hand". If I need your fingerprint to access your PC/bank account, then I'm taking the finger with me as well.

I think that's a bit of an exaggeration. Do you really think muggers are going to start using bloody stumps of fingers on their laptops to access bank accounts? Those are some pretty sophisticated muggers.

 

[hiodie]

I think that's a bit of an exaggeration. Do you really think muggers are going to start using bloody stumps of fingers on their laptops to access bank accounts? Those are some pretty sophisticated muggers.

Agreed. Otherwise, they would just have open a browser while mugging you and demand your information. If you refuse or give them the wrong info, they take a finger. Same concept, I doubt many people would lose too many fingers over any account information.

 

[Zetro]

I would be very surprised if such a method would be an only type of password for anything. This would be best used in supplementing a password in a two-factory authentication scheme replacing RSA tags and other similar technology.

 

[HardOCP News]

Obviously, you log in first then watch porn and use your fleshlight after.

Obvious professional

The idea of linking things like fingerprints to access computer, bank accounts, etc. is *really* stupid.

If they implement this, guess what's going to happen with muggings, etc? "Give me your wallet.... and your hand". If I need your fingerprint to access your PC/bank account, then I'm taking the finger with me as well.

I just pictured Bruce Lee ripping your heart out and logging in to your account with the last 4 beats of your heart.

 

[Outamyhead]

So should I develop a leaky valve or heart arrhythmia, I have bugger all chance of unlocking the system, retina and finger print tech are the best solutions right now if you wanted something else that doesn't change, go with DNA analysis.

 

[Phoenix333]

The idea of linking things like fingerprints to access computer, bank accounts, etc. is *really* stupid.

If they implement this, guess what's going to happen with muggings, etc? "Give me your wallet.... and your hand". If I need your fingerprint to access your PC/bank account, then I'm taking the finger with me as well.

Best example of this is in the Doom movie where Sarge uses the lady's severed hand to get access to the armory. Biometrics certainly has its flaws.

 

[Xeth]

I can see it now:

- Drink too much in the evening
- Down two shots of espresso and a redbull for the hangover in the morning
- Get locked out of your workstation because the caffeine changed your ECG

 

[rivertown_rat]

What most people don't know is that your heat rate is changing all the time, even at rest. So the researchers would have to take this into account. They are probably looking at things which don't change over time, like the P-R interval. I suppose if you suddenly developed an arrhythmia or had a heart attack it might throw it off. Any kind of system based on biometrics needs to have a way to reset it because our bodies are changing all the time. DNA is probably the only exception, but we leave DNA all over the place, so it's not really that secure.

 

[beowulf7]

So much for logging in while in the middle of getting it on w/ a hot chick.