Microsoft Fingerprint Reader - Slow?

[Chris Hagler]

I have installed a MS Fingerprint reader so I would stop having to type in
usernames and passwords to all different sorts of web sites. The
fingerprinter work - except that it seems that it scans my finger as soon as
I put it on the pad (I hear the sound confirmation beep) - but then it takes
like 7 - 15 seconds beofre it actuallly populates the web username and
password, and then submit button. I can type in the username and password
faster than using the fingerprint reader? Is this NORMAL?? What are
realistic expectaions?

Thanks..Chris

 

[Richard Urban]

I have not used the finger print reader but I would imagine that it is for
enhanced security and not for speed or convenience.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Lawrence A. Wong]

Chris: The fingerprint reader should react instantly. Make sure that it is
connected to a USB 2.0 port (a USB 1.0 or 1.1 port may be the cause of the
delay). Also make sure you have the latest drivers and software
(DigitalPersona) for the reader.

As for Mr Urban's comments

I'm sorry to say, but he is incorrect. Allow me to explain...

I have the fingerprint reader. The idea is that it is meant for PURE
CONVENIENCE and NOT enhance security.

The point of the fingerprint reader is so that by recongnizing the
fingerprint, it can insert the appropriate username and password for the
website. The fingerprint reader is also used for switching users using
Windows XP. The fingerprint reader only uses images to compare fingerprints.
If it is a close enough match, it will type in the password and username
"attached" to that finger.

If you read the instruction manual, it clearly states that it is not for
security purposes, nor does it have a fail safe way of preventing unwanted
access. Truth of the matter is if you know the username and password, you
can enter it using the keyboard and totally bypass the reader.

In addition to that, it also states that it is inappropriate to use the
fingerprint reader to log on to Domains and some networks.

A Fingerprint reader should be used for convienience. It's simply a device
that does all the password remembering for you. It does not enhance security
in anyway and can be very easily bypassed, especially if you already know
the log in information.

If you try to log into a banks website to check an account, you can either
use the fingerprint reader or just type the information. As for logging into
windows, you can unplug the fingerprint reader before Windows boots up
(although you don't have to) and just press CTRL + Alt + Del and type in the
log in info.

 

[Richard Urban]

Are you saying that a "close" fingerprint is good enough to get you into a
banks website to conduct transactions? If that's the case the whole thing is
a joke. If it isn't for security (no one else has MY fingerprint) what good
is it?

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[HillBillyBuddhist]

|I have installed a MS Fingerprint reader so I would stop having to type in
| usernames and passwords to all different sorts of web sites. The
| fingerprinter work - except that it seems that it scans my finger as soon
as
| I put it on the pad (I hear the sound confirmation beep) - but then it
takes
| like 7 - 15 seconds beofre it actuallly populates the web username and
| password, and then submit button. I can type in the username and password
| faster than using the fingerprint reader? Is this NORMAL?? What are
| realistic expectaions?
|
| Thanks..Chris

I've nothing to add to Mr. Wong's entirely correct response other than, for
informational purposes, to say that mine reacts immediately.

Fun toy, not a security device.

--
Doug

I'm not an MVP a VIP nor do I have ESP.
I was just trying to help.
Please use your own best judgment before implementing any suggestions or
advice herein.
No warranty is expressed or implied.
Your mileage may vary.
See store for details.

Remove shoes to E-mail.

 

[David Vair]

Its very much hardware and memory dependant. I have one at work P3 550 512 RAM and I notice the slow
opening. At Home p4 2.6 1Gig RAM, fingerprints are almost instant.

 

[Chris Hagler]

Well, I am sure that my laptop I have connected to should be fast enough.
Brand New HP laptop 1.7 machine with 512 Meg Ram and plenty of HD space.

Once I put my finger on the pad, I hear the confirmation beep, then I wati
10 seconds beofre I see the username and password appear.....maybe I should
try it on a differnet PC. I wonder if some sort of other software is
interfering with it.

There is no UPGRADED software right - everyone is running version1?

Thanks..Chris


Its very much hardware and memory dependant. I have one at work P3 550 512
RAM and I notice the slow
opening. At Home p4 2.6 1Gig RAM, fingerprints are almost instant.

 

[Test User]

Chris: The fingerprint reader should react instantly. Make sure that it is
connected to a USB 2.0 port (a USB 1.0 or 1.1 port may be the cause of the
delay). Also make sure you have the latest drivers and software
(DigitalPersona) for the reader.

As for Mr Urban's comments

I'm sorry to say, but he is incorrect. Allow me to explain...

I have the fingerprint reader. The idea is that it is meant for PURE
CONVENIENCE and NOT enhance security.

The point of the fingerprint reader is so that by recongnizing the
fingerprint, it can insert the appropriate username and password for the
website. The fingerprint reader is also used for switching users using
Windows XP. The fingerprint reader only uses images to compare

fingerprints.

[...]

That's very interesting. Does this mean that a sufficiently detailed
picture of the fingertip will also trigger a postive read?

thanks!
Patrick Keenan

<snip>

 

[uuk]

I have not used the finger print reader but I would imagine that it is for
enhanced security and not for speed or convenience.

God forbid microsoft could manage both.

 

[Chris Hagler]

It seems that the Extranet Access Client I am using is causing the 10 - 15
second delay of inputting the username and password. I have no idea why the
slow down - but by disabling my Extranet Access Client (a Nortel variant)
the fingerprint reader works instantaneously.

Is Microsoft working on patch or upgrade to solve this bug?

Chris
I have installed a MS Fingerprint reader so I would stop having to type in
usernames and passwords to all different sorts of web sites. The
fingerprinter work - except that it seems that it scans my finger as soon as
I put it on the pad (I hear the sound confirmation beep) - but then it takes
like 7 - 15 seconds beofre it actuallly populates the web username and
password, and then submit button. I can type in the username and password
faster than using the fingerprint reader? Is this NORMAL?? What are
realistic expectaions?

Thanks..Chris

 

[Triffid]

It seems that the Extranet Access Client I am using is causing the 10 - 15
second delay of inputting the username and password. I have no idea why the
slow down - but by disabling my Extranet Access Client (a Nortel variant)
the fingerprint reader works instantaneously.

Is Microsoft working on patch or upgrade to solve this bug?

It's highly unlikely Microsoft is working on fixing the third party
software that caused your problem. However, if you were to report the
issue to Nortel...

Triffid