On: Fitbit Acquires Coin

[imron]

And now you know why fingerprints are a really bad security device.

They're fine for casual authentication, but really poor for actual security.

[vacri → imron]

The bigger problem is that you only have one set of prints. If they're compromised, you can't just regenerate a new set (well, without grafts).

[TeMPOraL → imron]

I know the biometrics suck, but I haven't considered casual muggers cutting fingers off before...

[kenny_r → TeMPOraL]

"Malaysia car thieves steal finger" (2005) [0]

These were not casual muggers, since they resorted to kidnapping, also keep in mind that this was done to steal a very valuable car.

With phones also now also becoming wallets, it's not outlandish to think a thief would cut off a finger.

[0] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4396831.stm

[madeofpalk → TeMPOraL]

I'm way out of my league commenting on what criminals would or wouldn't do, but I don't think _casual_ muggers would resort to cutting fingers off.

More serious, organise, full time muggers might, but I would suspect those are more rare (and you're probably in a whole lot of danger with them anyway. missing digits probably isn't your biggest concern)

[DonHopkins → madeofpalk]

Who needs to cut off fingers when you've got a 3d printer?

http://www.3ders.org/articles/20140308-world-first-3d-printe...

http://openbiometrics.org/publications/arora20133D.pdf

[madeofpalk → DonHopkins]

I'm way out of my league commenting on what criminals would or wouldn't do, but I don't think _casual_ muggers would invest in custom 3d printing solutions.

[TeMPOraL → DonHopkins]

Because it's faster?

[bduerst → imron]

That's probably why fingerprint scanning doesn't work after 48 hours of not unlocking.