Comments on: Microsoft: Fingerprint Reader Replaces Passwords* http://www.mouseprint.org/2006/04/15/microsoft-fingerprint-reader/ Exposing the strings and catches in advertising fine print. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:09:13 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Sigmund http://www.mouseprint.org/2006/04/15/microsoft-fingerprint-reader/comment-page-1/#comment-3402 Sigmund Sat, 25 Nov 2006 15:59:02 +0000 http://www.mouseprint.org/?p=53#comment-3402 Write your passwords down on paper at night, and indoors. That way enemy satellites won't have the light needed to read your password sheet with high powered lenses. (Unless of course the satellites are imploying infrared night vision technolgy stolen by spies). Then eat this paper, but rip it into little shreds before you do it; if enemy agents catch you eating this paper, a partially chewed piece of paper can be re-assembled after your untimely demise. After you eat your password sheet, drink lots of alcohol (both to cause you to forget sensitive passwords, and to numb the pain from when you sand your fingerprints off). And finally drink a large amount of non-toxic ink. This way if you are indeed caught by agents, the ink will write over your passwrds in your innards and you won't have to worry the Commies hacking your MySpace account post mortem. Write your passwords down on paper at night, and indoors. That way enemy satellites won’t have the light needed to read your password sheet with high powered lenses. (Unless of course the satellites are imploying infrared night vision technolgy stolen by spies). Then eat this paper, but rip it into little shreds before you do it; if enemy agents catch you eating this paper, a partially chewed piece of paper can be re-assembled after your untimely demise. After you eat your password sheet, drink lots of alcohol (both to cause you to forget sensitive passwords, and to numb the pain from when you sand your fingerprints off). And finally drink a large amount of non-toxic ink. This way if you are indeed caught by agents, the ink will write over your passwrds in your innards and you won’t have to worry the Commies hacking your MySpace account post mortem.

]]> By: John http://www.mouseprint.org/2006/04/15/microsoft-fingerprint-reader/comment-page-1/#comment-1739 John Mon, 09 Oct 2006 17:23:31 +0000 http://www.mouseprint.org/?p=53#comment-1739 How could anyone think that this device would add to your security? I mean think about it, you have the option of EITHER swiping your finger print or typing in your password. Best case senario it would be equal to the security that Windows already has but far more lightly it would create another system for people to exploit. Honestly I don't understand why Microsoft didn't include the option for forcing a user to both type in their password and having to swipe their finger, at least then people would have the option of being "secure" if they wanted it (although I guarantee nobody would actually use the option, it would be nice to have). As it stands this product is little more than a toy, but then I always liked toys... How could anyone think that this device would add to your security? I mean think about it, you have the option of EITHER swiping your finger print or typing in your password. Best case senario it would be equal to the security that Windows already has but far more lightly it would create another system for people to exploit. Honestly I don’t understand why Microsoft didn’t include the option for forcing a user to both type in their password and having to swipe their finger, at least then people would have the option of being “secure” if they wanted it (although I guarantee nobody would actually use the option, it would be nice to have). As it stands this product is little more than a toy, but then I always liked toys…

]]> By: Tim http://www.mouseprint.org/2006/04/15/microsoft-fingerprint-reader/comment-page-1/#comment-1481 Tim Wed, 27 Sep 2006 16:07:26 +0000 http://www.mouseprint.org/?p=53#comment-1481 Actually, if you read the documentation that comes with the fingerprint reader (or was it some place else???), the reason that Microsoft disclaims their fingerprint reader for security purposes is that the reader is not encrypted. It is possible for spy-ware, etc. to "intercept" the communications between the computer and the reader and record the signals. There are various encrypted fingerprint readers on the market, but they cost significantly more than the $10 (after rebate) that I paid for my MS fingerprint reader. Actually, if you read the documentation that comes with the fingerprint reader (or was
it some place else???), the reason that Microsoft disclaims their fingerprint reader for
security purposes is that the reader is not encrypted. It is possible for spy-ware, etc.
to “intercept” the communications between the computer and the reader and record the
signals. There are various encrypted fingerprint readers on the market, but they cost
significantly more than the $10 (after rebate) that I paid for my MS fingerprint reader.

]]> By: gregdrake http://www.mouseprint.org/2006/04/15/microsoft-fingerprint-reader/comment-page-1/#comment-1417 gregdrake Wed, 27 Sep 2006 09:46:41 +0000 http://www.mouseprint.org/?p=53#comment-1417 This is funny on the surface, but it is really important that Microsoft's message be understood. It doesn't matter how good your finger scanner is, it does not make your system secure. Digital information must be STORED somewhere and when accessed it must be PASSED somehow. Because it is digital, information can always be copied and duplicated. Encyption techniques may make it difficult, but it is ALWAYS possible. This is funny on the surface, but it is really important that Microsoft’s message be understood. It doesn’t matter how good your finger scanner is, it does not make your system secure. Digital information must be STORED somewhere and when accessed it must be PASSED somehow. Because it is digital, information can always be copied and duplicated. Encyption techniques may make it difficult, but it is ALWAYS possible.

]]> By: m c http://www.mouseprint.org/2006/04/15/microsoft-fingerprint-reader/comment-page-1/#comment-1338 m c Tue, 26 Sep 2006 18:45:42 +0000 http://www.mouseprint.org/?p=53#comment-1338 The reason has nothing to do with cutting yourself. The reason has to do with the fact that it's an unreliable toy that shouldn't be protecting any real data. The reason has nothing to do with cutting yourself.

The reason has to do with the fact that it’s an unreliable toy that shouldn’t be protecting any real data.

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