New Hardware Includes Fingerprint Readers

The fall 2004 lineup from Microsoft Hardware includes three new products that enable users to log on to Windows XP user accounts and Web sites by placing their finger on a reader rather than typing in a username and password. With these and other new products, such as a wireless notebook mouse and ergonomic keyboard, Microsoft hopes to convince businesses and consumers to add premium hardware to PC and software purchases. The fingerprint readers could also enhance security by encouraging users to adopt authentication for local accounts.

To use the readers, users first “register” one or more fingers with the software. Their fingerprints are then associated with their Windows XP user account, allowing them to log on or switch between accounts (using Fast User Switching) simply by placing a registered finger in the reader. In addition, when users visit a Web site that asks for their user name and password, they enter these credentials once, then touch the reader with a registered finger. On future visits they need only touch the reader to log on. (To accomplish this, the fingerprint reader software uses Internet Explorer’s ability to remember cached credential information.)