How Fingerprint scanner works for iPhone 5S and Samsung Galaxy S5?
Did you hear about the unveiling of Samsung Galaxy S5 at MWC 2014 with fingerprint scanning feature? Want to know how the fingerprint sensor works in smartphones to provide security? Kindly read further to know the functioning of fingerprint scanner in smartphones to provide additional security.
Like iPhone 5S and HTC One Max, Samsung Galaxy S5 will also have a fingerprint sensor. Samsung will be the only one who will allow to use this sensor for general shopping (in association with Paypal). Now, the two queries that come to mind as soon as we hear about this are: What is a fingerprint sensor? and Is fingerprint scanning a foolproof security method for smartphones?
A fingerprint sensor enables you to keep your phone locked and then unlock it making use of finger touch. This is done to get rid of the trouble to remember pass codes and enter them to unlock any smartphone. The fingerprint sensor simply scans your finger touch and helps you to unlock your phone easily. This feature is currently available in top smartphones like iPhone 5S, HTC One Max, etc. and will soon be seen in Samsung Galaxy S5 model.How does fingerprint sensor work?
Both iPhone 5S and Samsung Galaxy S5 possess a sensor on the home screen (button). For S5, one will be able to make the phone read your finger print correctly by swiping 7 times. Along with fingerprint security, you can even keep passcode security for S5 as a backup for scenarios when the phone fails to identify your finger print. The finger touch or fingerprint information is converted in to "hash" (a mathematical representation). This information is then stored in a secured area on the phone and is never shared to maintain security. To unlock the phone, all one needs to do is just finger swipe on the home button (screen). Again, this fingerprint information is converted to "hash" and compared with the "hash" information stored on the phone. If they both match, then your smartphone unlocks, else, it will not.
Through updated version of iOS security white paper, Apple has come out with detailed explanation on how iPhone's fingerprint sensor keeps our phone information secured. Upon fingerprint touch / swipe, the information is encrypted end-to-end and maintained at a secured location on A7 chip. This information cannot be read by A7 or Apple. Also, the fingerprint image print is stored in memory only till it is decrypted (decryption key). This key is generally removed / deleted once your phone is rebooted or 5 unsuccessful login attempts are made or when your phone is inactive for 2 days.
Comparison between Apple and SamsungAdvantages of fingerprint scanning for smartphones
However, in case of a fingerprint-based locking system, others will never be able to unlock your phone.
Thus, as seen above, fingerprint sensor does add a new secured dimension to your smartphone. The security offered by fingerprint scanning may not be completely fool-proof, but, it is definitely better than most phone security methods available today. Biometrics is now proving useful for authentication purposes as well. I personally found this fingerprint sensor functionality pretty useful. I hope many new Android smartphones do come up with this feature so that more and more users can take advantage of it. Please feel free to share your opinion about this.
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Advantages of fingerprint scanning for smartphones
To enhance security of the phone and providing easy alternative for unlocking phones by simple finger swipes instead of entering pass codes. Users no longer have to worry about remembering pass codes for phone security.
For passcode-based phone locking system, others can try different pass code combinations and there is a higher probability of them being able to unlock your phone.
However, in case of a fingerprint-based locking system, others will never be able to unlock your phone.
Because of the easiness involved in unlocking a smartphone using fingers, more people are encouraged to start locking their phones for better security.
With fingerprint security feature, it is possible to have the pass code security feature as a backup. This means such phones can have dual security system which will be almost impossible to break.