Your sweat may be more secure password to your smartphone!

Image
Press Trust of India New York
Last Updated : Nov 13 2017 | 12:57 PM IST
A new biometric-based authentication approach that uses your body sweat may securely help you unlock your smartphone and other wearable devices, scientists say.
The new approach proposed by researchers at University at Albany in the US relies on analysing skin secretions - or sweat - to build an amino acid profile that is unique to the devices' owner.
The profile would be stored within the device and used for identification purposes each time an attempt to unlock is made, researchers said.
"We are developing a new form of security that could completely change the authentication process for electronic devices," said Jan Halamek, an assistant professor at the University at Albany.
"Using sweat as an identifier cannot be easily mimicked/hacked by potential intruders. It is close to full- proof," Halamek said.
Skin secretions contain many small molecules - or metabolites - that can each be targeted for authentication analysis.
To build a profile, the device would first have a "monitoring period" in which it would continuously measure its owner's sweat levels at various times of the day.
Once the profile is developed, the owner would be identified once holding the device/wearing it.
The approach would not only improve on current authentication methods, but also help people with certain disabilities, who may be unable to move their fingers in a specific position to open the device or have a caretaker who is unlocking the device without permission.
The device owner would also not have to remember a passcode, researchers said.
"The current forms of authentication have proven to be less than ideal," said Halamek, who led the study published in the journal ChemPhysChem.
"Passwords and pins can easily be seen over someone's shoulder and there are many internet tutorials on how to create a fingerprint mold that is capable of opening a device. There is also issues with facial recognition, which often times does not work correctly," said Halamek.
Halamek has tested the analysis in his lab with success. The next step is to collaborate with engineers who can help with implementation.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Nov 13 2017 | 12:57 PM IST

Next Story