(Literally) Put a Ring on It: Protecting Biometric Fingerprints

It sounds more like science fiction, but it's basically another mode of authentication: Kaspersky has developed a wearable ring with a stone storing a unique "fingerprint" for authenticating to biometric systems. 

The security firm, with the help of a 3D accessory designer, designed the ring, which contains a unique fingerprint made up of conductive fibers sitting in a rubber compound.

"That ring can be used to authenticate the user with biometric systems, such as a phone or a smart home door lock. And if the data of the ring fingerprint leaks, the user can block this particular ring and replace it with a new one — and their own unique biometric data won't be compromised," the company said in blog post announcing it.

When used to authenticate to a smartphone, the smartphone's sensor "reads" the biometric stone, which Kaspersky says comes in the shape and texture of a real finger (ew?). The fibers activate the reader.

When the stone is pressed on a fingerprint sensor, the conductivity activates the reader. The fingerprint sensor then measures both the connectivity and the pattern of the fibers, and also compares the physical pattern of the fingerprint with the one that was set up on the device.

But don't bother trying to find one for Christmas. "The ring is just a concept," not a product, to raise awareness about security issues of biometrics, according to Kaspersky.

Read more here.

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