<p class="title">A new biometric-based authentication approach that uses your body sweat may securely help you unlock your smartphone and other wearable devices, scientists say.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The new approach proposed by researchers at University at Albany in the US relies on analysing skin secretions - or sweat - to build an amino acid profile that is unique to the devices' owner.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The profile would be stored within the device and used for identification purposes each time an attempt to unlock is made, researchers said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We are developing a new form of security that could completely change the authentication process for electronic devices," said Jan Halamek, an assistant professor at the University at Albany.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Using sweat as an identifier cannot be easily mimicked/hacked by potential intruders. It is close to full- proof," Halamek said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Skin secretions contain many small molecules - or metabolites - that can each be targeted for authentication analysis.</p>.<p class="bodytext">To build a profile, the device would first have a "monitoring period" in which it would continuously measure its owner's sweat levels at various times of the day.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Once the profile is developed, the owner would be identified once holding the device/wearing it.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The approach would not only improve on current authentication methods but also help people with certain disabilities, who may be unable to move their fingers in a specific position to open the device or have a caretaker who is unlocking the device without permission.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The device owner would also not have to remember a passcode, researchers said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The current forms of authentication have proven to be less than ideal," said Halamek, who led the study published in the journal ChemPhysChem.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Passwords and pins can easily be seen over someone's shoulder and there are many internet tutorials on how to create a fingerprint mould that is capable of opening a device. There are also issues with facial recognition, which often times does not work correctly," said Halamek.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Halamek has tested the analysis in his lab with success. The next step is to collaborate with engineers who can help with implementation. PTI SAR SAR</p>
<p class="title">A new biometric-based authentication approach that uses your body sweat may securely help you unlock your smartphone and other wearable devices, scientists say.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The new approach proposed by researchers at University at Albany in the US relies on analysing skin secretions - or sweat - to build an amino acid profile that is unique to the devices' owner.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The profile would be stored within the device and used for identification purposes each time an attempt to unlock is made, researchers said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We are developing a new form of security that could completely change the authentication process for electronic devices," said Jan Halamek, an assistant professor at the University at Albany.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Using sweat as an identifier cannot be easily mimicked/hacked by potential intruders. It is close to full- proof," Halamek said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Skin secretions contain many small molecules - or metabolites - that can each be targeted for authentication analysis.</p>.<p class="bodytext">To build a profile, the device would first have a "monitoring period" in which it would continuously measure its owner's sweat levels at various times of the day.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Once the profile is developed, the owner would be identified once holding the device/wearing it.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The approach would not only improve on current authentication methods but also help people with certain disabilities, who may be unable to move their fingers in a specific position to open the device or have a caretaker who is unlocking the device without permission.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The device owner would also not have to remember a passcode, researchers said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The current forms of authentication have proven to be less than ideal," said Halamek, who led the study published in the journal ChemPhysChem.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Passwords and pins can easily be seen over someone's shoulder and there are many internet tutorials on how to create a fingerprint mould that is capable of opening a device. There are also issues with facial recognition, which often times does not work correctly," said Halamek.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Halamek has tested the analysis in his lab with success. The next step is to collaborate with engineers who can help with implementation. PTI SAR SAR</p>