What is Biometric Authentication
Biometric authentication is all about verifying your identity using something unique to who you are – like a fingerprint, a facial scan, an iris pattern or even just the sound of your voice. Its all about that ‘something you are’ factor in security and its a pretty tough nut to crack because its tied directly to the actual person and can’t just be phoned in by pretending to be that person.
How does Biometric Authentication work
The first time you enroll, the system takes a snapshot of your fingerprint or whatever trait is being used and turns it into a mathematical template – rather than just storing the actual image. So next time round, when you try and sign in, the system takes another snap and turns that into a template too and then compares the two – if they match pretty closely then you get in. Modern devices do this all locally on the device so the biometric data never actually leaves your phone – which is one of the reasons why its considered so secure. Of course – biometric checks are often used as just one part of a multi-layered security setup.
How Onextel helps with Biometric Authentication
The biometric checks happen all on your own device – but Onextel still looks after all the other bits of the show. So part of a multi-layered setup, Onextel delivers the one time passwords and verification codes via SMS, WhatsApp, voice or email – the ‘something you have’ factor – which pairs with your device’s biometric ‘something you are’ to give you a really solid layer of security. And if any one of those channels fails – the Onextel system will automatically switch over and get the code through to you in the flash of an eye.
Why it matters
Passwords get guessed and stolen and re-used all the time – its a real weakness in any security system. But a fingerprint or a face is a whole lot harder to steal and even if you can manage to get its its impossible to ‘forget’ it. But biometrics isnt perfect on its own – its best when teamed up with a delivered code or token, so if one layer gets cracked the others will keep on holding up.