Why worry about people sharing passwords? I/O Software’s Puppy combines a new fingerprint reader from Sony with software for Windows NT to create a system with invulnerable login security. Once you’ve been fingerprinted, log in with Puppy by simply resting your finger on the coated glass.
The system works well, although it takes a bit of practice to make the scans come out right. A bigger problem came up when I tried to log in over the network: Without a fingerprint reader for my laptop, I was locked out. You can set up Puppy to accept either your fingerprint or your password, but that kind of defeats the purpose. A better alternative is to buy a reader for each workstation.
Perhaps the system's best feature is the biometric sensor that differentiates between a live finger and a dead one. Good news for workers in high-security situations who don't want to worry about having their digits chopped off by overzealous computer crackers – or, in this case – hackers.
Puppy: US$650. I/O Software: +1 (909) 222 7600, fax +1 (909) 222 7601.
This article originally appeared in the December issue of Wired magazine.
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