internet.com
You are in the: Small Business Computing Channelarrow
Small Business Technology
» ECommerce-Guide | Small Business Computing | Webopedia | WinPlanet |Refer-It
Webopedia.com
Enter a word for a definition... ...or choose a computer category.
 
 

menu
   Home
   Term of the Day
   New Terms
   Pronunciation
   New Links
   Quick Reference
   Did You Know?
   Categories
   Tech Support
   Technology Jobs
   About Us
   Link to Us
   Advertising

   rss/xmlrss/xml  

Become a Marketplace Partner



talk to us
   Submit a URL
   Suggest a Term
   Report an Error

internet.com
IT
Developer
Internet News
Small Business
Personal Technology
International

Search internet.com
Advertise
Corporate Info
Newsletters
Tech Jobs
E-mail Offers
commerce
  Be a Commerce Partner
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

biometrics
Last modified: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 

(bī´´ō-met´riks) (n.) Generally, the study of measurable biological characteristics. In computer security, biometrics refers to authentication techniques that rely on measurable physical characteristics that can be automatically checked.

There are several types of biometric identification schemes:

  • face: the analysis of facial characteristics
  • fingerprint: the analysis of an individual’s unique fingerprints
  • hand geometry: the analysis of the shape of the hand and the length of the fingers
  • retina: the analysis of the capillary vessels located at the back of the eye
  • iris: the analysis of the colored ring that surrounds the eye’s pupil
  • signature: the analysis of the way a person signs his name.
  • vein: the analysis of pattern of veins in the back if the hand and the wrist
  • voice: the analysis of the tone, pitch, cadence and frequency of a person’s voice.

Though the field is still in its infancy, many people believe that biometrics will play a critical role in future computers, and especially in electronic commerce. Personal computers of the future might include a fingerprint scanner where you could place your index finger. The computer would analyze your fingerprint to determine who you are and, based on your identity, authorize you different levels of access. Access levels could include the ability to use credit card information to make electronic purchases.

See "Defend Yourself Against Identity Theft" in the "Did You Know..." section of Webopedia.
See also "How Biometrics Security Works" in the "Did You Know..." section of Webopedia.
Also see "How Fingerprint Scanners Work" in the ""Did You Know..." section of Webopedia.

E-mail this definition to a colleague

Sponsored listings

Biometrics Attendance Systems - Clock in and out with a fingerprint! TimeForce offers employee management systems that incorporate fingertip-scanning time clocks.

TimeClock Plus - Time & Attendance Systems - Real-Time, Employee Self Service and Automated Time and Attendance Solutions.

Telephone Time and Attendance - Telephone timekeeping system with toll-free number for employees to use to check in and out. No hardware to purchase. Free trial.


For internet.com pages about biometrics . Also check out the following links!

Related Links

Biometric Consortium 
Extensive collection of information pertaining to the research, development, testing, evaulation, and application of biometric-based personal identification/verification technology. The Biometric Consortium serves as the U.S. Government's focal point for this technology.

Biometrics in the Digital Realm 
A November 2001 article from eCommerce Guide.

DRM Watch 
Analysis of digital rights management technology.

Webopedia's "Did You Know...?" Section 
Use this Webopedia knowledge section for an in-depth overview of specific technologies and occurrences in the areas of Computer Science, The Internet, and Computer Hardware and Software.

Biometrics Catalog
A U.S. Government-sponsored database of information about biometric technologies including research and evaluation reports, news articles, vendors and consultants, government documents and legislative text.

Inside ID Home Page
News and information for identity management specialists.

Sponsored listings

Time and Attendance - Find Biometric Clock Solutions and Compare prices at Shopica.com. Search products and stores before making a purchase. Start Now!

Portable Time and Attendance System - The JobClock System - Track time & attendance simply and accurately. Manage your labor costs & job codes made easy. Integrates with accounting & payroll software. Call Now!

Time and Attendance - Compare time and attendance software using Capterra's free, comprehensive directory.

Time and Attendance Systems IT Solutions - Business technology search site offering software, service, reseller and hardware information on thousands of IT solutions.

Free Time Clock Quote - TimeIPS will match the perfect time clock system with your business based on your time and attendance needs. Easy to use, affordable solutions.

related categories

Biometrics

Digital Rights Management (DRM)

Electronic Commerce

Security

related terms

AFIS

AIDC

authentication

biometric engine

capture

comparison

electronic commerce

enrollment

extraction

false acceptance

false rejection

identification

matching

MEMS

reference template

security

UDDI

Vein ID System

verification


webopedia
Give Us Your
Feedback


Shopping
biometrics Products
Compare Products,Prices and Stores

Shop by Category:
Sport and Outdoor
1 Store Offers

Software
0 Store Offers

Hard Drives
4 Model Matches

Building Supplies
13 Store Offers

Network Accessories
4 Model Matches




JupiterOnlineMedia

internet.comearthweb.comDevx.commediabistro.comGraphics.com

Search:

Jupitermedia Corporation has two divisions: Jupiterimages and JupiterOnlineMedia

Jupitermedia Corporate Info


Legal Notices, Licensing, Reprints, & Permissions, Privacy Policy.

Advertise | Newsletters | Tech Jobs | Shopping | E-mail Offers

Solutions
Whitepapers and eBooks
Microsoft Article: Will Hyper-V Make VMware This Decade's Netscape?
Microsoft Article: 7.0, Microsoft's Lucky Version?
Microsoft Article: Hyper-V--The Killer Feature in Windows Server 2008
Avaya Article: How to Feed Data into the Avaya Event Processor
Microsoft Article: Install What You Need with Windows Server 2008
HP eBook: Putting the Green into IT
Whitepaper: HP Integrated Citrix XenServer for HP ProLiant Servers
Intel Go Parallel Portal: Interview with C++ Guru Herb Sutter, Part 1
Intel Go Parallel Portal: Interview with C++ Guru Herb Sutter, Part 2--The Future of Concurrency
Avaya Article: Setting Up a SIP A/S Development Environment
IBM Article: How Cool Is Your Data Center?
Microsoft Article: Managing Virtual Machines with Microsoft System Center
HP eBook: Storage Networking , Part 1
Microsoft Article: Solving Data Center Complexity with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007
MORE WHITEPAPERS, EBOOKS, AND ARTICLES
Webcasts
Intel Video: Are Multi-core Processors Here to Stay?
On-Demand Webcast: Five Virtualization Trends to Watch
HP Video: Page Cost Calculator
Intel Video: APIs for Parallel Programming
HP Webcast: Storage Is Changing Fast - Be Ready or Be Left Behind
Microsoft Silverlight Video: Creating Fading Controls with Expression Design and Expression Blend 2
MORE WEBCASTS, PODCASTS, AND VIDEOS
Downloads and eKits
Sun Download: Solaris 8 Migration Assistant
Sybase Download: SQL Anywhere Developer Edition
Red Gate Download: SQL Backup Pro and free DBA Best Practices eBook
Red Gate Download: SQL Compare Pro 6
Iron Speed Designer Application Generator
MORE DOWNLOADS, EKITS, AND FREE TRIALS
Tutorials and Demos
How-to-Article: Preparing for Hyper-Threading Technology and Dual Core Technology
eTouch PDF: Conquering the Tyranny of E-Mail and Word Processors
IBM Article: Collaborating in the High-Performance Workplace
HP Demo: StorageWorks EVA4400
Intel Featured Algorhythm: Intel Threading Building Blocks--The Pipeline Class
Microsoft How-to Article: Get Going with Silverlight and Windows Live
MORE TUTORIALS, DEMOS AND STEP-BY-STEP GUIDES