Fingerprint Reader Question

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kjarrett · #1 Post by **kjarrett** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 4:32 am

This is kinda morbid, but ... f you died, how would your family get access to your TP?

-kj-

skanky · #2 Post by **skanky** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 4:54 am

if i died, i'd like to this my family would have more important things to think about than access to my TP!

kjarrett · #3 Post by **kjarrett** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 5:00 am

True, very true ... but since I carry a $1MM life policy, at least I don't worry about my family needing anything financially.

The question still stands ... must be a way around it ... somehow. Ya think?

-kj-

n3il · #4 Post by **n3il** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 6:08 am

Password backup..... You can't set a fingerprint without first setting a password. If you don't have the correct finger - use the password (as long as you know it!!!!)

Neil

kjarrett · #5 Post by **kjarrett** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 6:15 am

Thanks, so, if it is set up properly, and someone knows the password, they can bypass the finger scan?

n3il · #6 Post by **n3il** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 6:30 am

Yes... The fingerprint prompt can be deactivated or bypassed (by password).

kjarrett · #7 Post by **kjarrett** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 6:35 am

Thanks!

#8 Post by **JaneL** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 6:40 am

>if i died, i'd like to this my family would have more important things to think about than access to my TP!
>

I can think several reasons right off the top of my head why a family might need to access someone's ThinkPad after their death: financial records, pictures that haven't been archived elsewhere, and contact information for friends (both face-to-face and Internet) or business associates.

Leon · #9 Post by **Leon** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:27 am

since the Fingerprint Reader can be bypassed by a (potentially) hackable password, doesn't that greatly reduce it's value? I ALREADY have a (potentially) hackable password protecting my system!

n3il · #10 Post by **n3il** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 9:53 am

A toss-up between a "potentially hackable password" and "potentially irretrievable data".... !

Always good to have a backup plan...

mattfromomaha · #11 Post by **mattfromomaha** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 10:03 am

I guess it was my understanding that the fingerprint reader was intended not to have Fort Knox-like security on the TP but to cut down on helpdesk calls to corporations with people forgetting their passwords.

Since the bypass password isn't intended to be used very often, you can make it very long and difficult to hack.

Plinkerton · #12 Post by **Plinkerton** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 3:52 pm

I don't know what they would do. My T42 would most likely go to my dad, and I doubt he would have the smarts to remember a password I have told him before, as a common password I use. If I died right now, it would probably be locked, and end up in a box somewhere... How sad... A nice computer gone to waste.

Moroner · #13 Post by **Moroner** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 6:54 pm

Of course, fingerprint scanners are not particularly safe either. For example, see http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/05/16 ... t_sensors/.

sneakyazn · #14 Post by **sneakyazn** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 7:59 pm

i can think of a way... but it would require bringing the thinkpad to the funeral...

Plinkerton · #15 Post by **Plinkerton** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 8:13 pm

That's the reason IBM uses a "swipe" reader instead of one where you place the finger on it. I don't believe the gummi bears will work with the swipe kind. They are much more secure from what i hear.

jordi32 · #16 Post by **jordi32** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 12:40 am

If the hard disk is removed from the ThinkPad with fingerprint scanner, can't the hard disk be read by installing it in another computer anyway?

Thank you,

Jordi

plucky duck · #17 Post by **plucky duck** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 1:24 am

Or you can bring the laptop to the funeral and as you walk up the casket, quickly scan his dead fingers onto the Thinkpad

Do it quietly and nobody should notice. heh

#18 Post by **BillMorrow** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 1:39 am

you guys are morbid..!

lfeagan · #19 Post by **lfeagan** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 2:13 am

Or better yet, just whip out an automatic knife (aka switch blade) and cut a finger off and take it with you.

Of course, you have to make sure to line your pocket with a plastic baggy to make sure you don't get blood leaking on your pants...it would make it obvious that something was amiss.

Now that's what I call morbid

jordi32 · #20 Post by **jordi32** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 2:21 am

Can someone please answer my question?

Thank you.

Jordi

lophiomys · #21 Post by **lophiomys** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 7:17 am

i just checked with a pathologist: fingerprints actually do maintain their quality for some time, as long as the body is stored at cool temperatures.

referring to the "bone collector", storing a finger in a fridge without a protecting vessel, dehydrates it and is shrivelling it, deforming the fingerprints.

but please note the substantial health risk of inadequate handling of bodies or parts thereof, besides legal restrictions.

SCNR

monty cantsin · #22 Post by **monty cantsin** » Sun Nov 14, 2004 1:25 pm

kjarrett wrote:This is kinda morbid, but ... f you died, how would your family get access to your TP?

Perhaps with a copy of your finger.

"3. EXPERIMENTS
3.1 How to make Artificial Fingers"

T. Matsumoto, H. Matsumoto, K. Yamada, S. Hoshino, "Impact of Artificial Gummy Fingers on Fingerprint Systems," Proceedings of SPIE Vol. #4677, Optical Security and Counterfeit Deterrence Techniques IV, 2002.

http://www.rootsecure.net/content/downl ... anners.pdf

http://cryptome.org/gummy.htm

pftr79 · #23 Post by **pftr79** » Sun Nov 14, 2004 3:11 pm

I am about a month away from ordering a new T42 and wondering how people are liking the fingerprint reader on the new T's. I am assuming that is a pass function that can optionally be turned off?

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