Biometric fingerprint purchasing tested

Posted on Tuesday, 26 February, 2013 | Comment icon

14 comments | News tip by: Render

Image credit: CC 3.0 Zephyris

A state college in South Dakota is trialling a new high-tech way to purchase goods using fingerprints.

The technique uses Biocryptology, a cross between biometrics and cryptology that provides a safe and secure way to buy things using nothing more than a scan of someone's fingerprint. What sets this system apart from other fingerprint scanning concepts however is that it safeguards against a common workaround often seen in movies whereby a villain removes someone's finger and presses it up against the scanner.

The trick is to have the scanner also check to make sure that the finger being used is actually attached to a living person by measuring the blood flow underneath the skin. This means that in the future if someone did try to steal your money by chopping off your fingers they still wouldn't be able to do so.

Futurists have long proclaimed the coming of a cashless society, where dollar bills and plastic cards are replaced by fingerprint and retina scanners smart enough to distinguish a living, breathing account holder from an identity thief.

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Source: Huffington Post

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Recent comments on this story

#5 Posted by freetoroam on 26 February, 2013, 13:05

Fingerprint technology isn't new, nor is the general concept of using biometrics as a way to pay for goods. But it's the extra layer of protection – that deeper check to ensure the finger has a pulse – So, in theory, cutting someone’s finger may work with simple sensors, but chances of success are small in any case. Not all criminals are drugged up desperates with out a brain!! When the credit card was invented, they did not bank on the criminal brains, if they had we would not have so much credit card fraud...its is getting tighter now for the criminal, but... [More]

#6 Posted by paperdyer on 26 February, 2013, 15:21

Since the sensors need blood flow, will these sensors be sophisticated enough to know if the fingerprint it's reading is real skin or not. I can see the rush to develop "stick-on" fingerprints as used in may spy shows and movies

#7 Posted by Skeptic Chicken on 26 February, 2013, 15:31

and what if you happened to burn or cut your finger?

#8 Posted by ExpandMyMind on 26 February, 2013, 16:13

Don't worry, a few years down the line and they'll be wanting to use our DNA instead.

#9 Posted by Chooky88 on 26 February, 2013, 18:10

Cool. Like Old Biff in Back to the Future paying for the taxi

#10 Posted by The Silver Thong on 26 February, 2013, 18:17

I remember reading a story were a guy payed a bill with a cow and a chicken. Today I can`t write a cheque lol. Times are messed and the only ones to blaim are the banks. They have always had control and always will. They have had complete control since there conception.

#11 Posted by Render on 26 February, 2013, 21:33

I don't understand your analogy. "chances of success are small, same thing can be said for credit card" etc ... does not compare to chances are small a chopped off finger works. If you intercept the credit card chances of success are extremely high. If you manage to get yourself a finger, chances of succes are small. .. See? No comparison there. Security in IT is based on the principle of easiest penetration, meaning it's the job of certain ppl to think in terms of a criminal. The reason why there has been so much credit card fraud and alike, is not because the criminal ... [More]

#12 Posted by Junior Chubb on 26 February, 2013, 22:57

My daughter has been paying at her school canteen using this method for a while now. They can also uses a palm scan to enter some buildings, and this is an average East London Comprehensive School. Not much need for the extra layer of security though, not too much finger removal going on there........ yet. ;)

#13 Posted by csauer52 on 27 February, 2013, 11:54

Ummmmm, so how would this get around a criminal simply holding you at gunpoint? Solves nothing..... It is cool though.

#14 Posted by Frank Merton on 27 February, 2013, 12:11

I think it will be efficient and reduce lines a little at check-out. It may also save the merchants some expenses in counting and shipping money and in turning in checks and so on, and thereby reduce prices a little. I also think it scares me. No cash transactions. Aren't there a few things you buy here and there that you would rather not appear on your bank statement or tax records or maybe even on your local constable's morning report? Let's say you never buy anything even embarrassing. Still, all the merchants know when you walk in the door what your buying habits are, how... [More]

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