Lowell Deeds

Recently, it was revealed that computer hackers might have jeopardized the security of over 40 million credit cards. The event has put the issue of computer & identity security on front pages across the country. Last week Hewlett Packard began shipping a laptop computer, which attempts to address computer security. The “n6125 notebook” PC comes with a fingerprint reader as standard equipment. Although not the first, HP is certainly the biggest computer maker to use biometrics. Biometrics refers to the identification of a person based on physiological characteristics. This method of identification is superior to PINS and passwords in a number of ways. First, the person must obviously be physically present at the point of identification. Second, it eliminates the need to remember a password. By replacing PINs and passwords, biometrics techniques can potentially prevent unauthorized access to ATMs, networks and other vulnerable computer devices. Various types of biometric systems are in use today. The most popular ones are fingerprint matching, iris matching and face scanning. The n6125 notebook is intended for business use, but you can be sure it will not be long before the same technology is in your home computer.