Biometrics

Biometrics

Biometrics are body measurements and calculations related to human characteristics. Biometric <a href="/en/Multi-factor_authentication" title="Multi-factor authentication" class="wl">authentication</a> (or realistic authentication) is used in <a href="/en/Computer_science" title="Computer science" class="wl">computer science</a> as a form of identification and access control. It is also used to identify individuals in groups that are under <a href="/en/Surveillance" title="Surveillance" class="wl">surveillance</a>.

<div class="shortdescription nomobile noexcerpt noprint searchaux" style="display:none" about="#mwt1">Metrics related to human characteristics</div>
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Biometric identifiers are the distinctive, measurable characteristics used to label and describe individuals. Biometric identifiers are often categorized as physiological characteristics which are related to the shape of the body. Examples include, but are not limited to <a href="/en/Fingerprint" title="Fingerprint" class="wl">fingerprint</a>,<a href="#cite_note-1" style="counter-reset: mw-Ref 1;">[1]</a> palm veins, <a href="/en/Facial_recognition_system" title="Facial recognition system" class="wl">face recognition</a>, <a href="/en/DNA" title="DNA" class="wl">DNA</a>, palm print, <a href="/en/Hand_geometry" title="Hand geometry" class="wl">hand geometry</a>, <a href="/en/Iris_recognition" title="Iris recognition" class="wl">iris recognition</a>, <a href="/en/Retinal_scan" title="Retinal scan" class="wl">retina</a>, odor/scent, voice, shape of ears and gait. Behavioral characteristics are related to the pattern of behavior of a person, including but not limited to <a href="/en/Mouse_tracking" title="Mouse tracking" class="wl">mouse movement</a>,<a href="#cite_note-2" style="counter-reset: mw-Ref 2;">[2]</a> typing rhythm, <a href="/en/Gait_analysis" title="Gait analysis" class="wl">gait</a>, <a href="/en/Signature_recognition" title="Signature recognition" class="wl">signature</a>, behavioral profiling, and <a href="/en/Speaker_recognition" title="Speaker recognition" class="wl">credentials</a>. Some researchers have coined the term behaviometrics to describe the latter class of biometrics.<a href="#cite_note-3" style="counter-reset: mw-Ref 3;">[3]</a>

More traditional means of access control include <a href="/en/Security_token" title="Security token" class="wl">token-based identification systems</a>, such as a driver's <a href="/en/License" title="License" class="wl">license</a> or <a href="/en/Passport" title="Passport" class="wl">passport</a>, and knowledge-based identification systems, such as a password or personal identification number. Since biometric identifiers are unique to individuals, they are more reliable in verifying identity than token and knowledge-based methods; however, the collection of biometric identifiers raises privacy concerns about the ultimate use of this information.

Biometrics are body measurements and calculations related to human characteristics. Biometric authentication is used in computer science as a form of identification and access control. It is also used to identify individuals in groups that are under surveillance. Biometric identifiers are the distinctive, measurable characteristics used to label and describe individuals. Biometric identifiers are often categorized as physiological characteristics which are related to the shape of the body. Examples include, but are not limited to fingerprint, More traditional means of access control include token-based identification systems, such as a driver's license or passport, and knowledge-based identification systems, such as a password or personal identification number. Since biometric identifiers are unique to individuals, they are more reliable in verifying identity than token and knowledge-based methods; however, the collection of biometric identifiers raises privacy concerns about the ultimate use of this information. 