5 ms·

And now you know why fingerprints are a really bad security device. They're fine for casual authentication, but really poor for actual security.

• TeMPOraL 10y ago
  I know the biometrics suck, but I haven't considered casual muggers cutting fingers off before...
  • madeofpalk 10y ago
    I'm way out of my league commenting on what criminals would or wouldn't do, but I don't think _casual_ muggers would resort to cutting fingers off. More serious, organise, full time muggers might, but I would suspect those are more rare (and you're probably in a whole lot of danger with them anyway. missing digits probably isn't your biggest concern)
    • DonHopkins 10y ago
      Who needs to cut off fingers when you've got a 3d printer? http://www.3ders.org/articles/20140308-world-first-3d-printed-fingerprint-for-better-print-matching-systems-and-security.html http://www.3ders.org/articles/20140308-world-first-3d-printe... http://openbiometrics.org/publications/arora20133D.pdf http://openbiometrics.org/publications/arora20133D.pdf
      • madeofpalk 10y ago
        I'm way out of my league commenting on what criminals would or wouldn't do, but I don't think _casual_ muggers would invest in custom 3d printing solutions.
      • TeMPOraL 10y ago
        Because it's faster?
  • kenny_r 10y ago
    "Malaysia car thieves steal finger" (2005) [0] These were not casual muggers, since they resorted to kidnapping, also keep in mind that this was done to steal a very valuable car. With phones also now also becoming wallets, it's not outlandish to think a thief would cut off a finger. [0] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4396831.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4396831.stm
• vacri 10y ago
  The bigger problem is that you only have one set of prints. If they're compromised, you can't just regenerate a new set (well, without grafts).
• bduerst 10y ago
  That's probably why fingerprint scanning doesn't work after 48 hours of not unlocking.