Biometric login

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Level 1

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Biometric login

Are there ANY biometric devices, like fingerprint readers/scanners, that can be used to login on the Mac? The Sony Puppy FIU-600/M seemed to fit the bill, but it is no longer available (I can't even find them on eBay). I've found plenty of devices that work on Windows. I've also found plenty of USB thumb drives with biometric security; however, none of them can be used to login to the OS.

Here's what I'm really looking for: I want my users to walk up to their Mac, swipe their fingerprint, and have it automatically log them in.

Are there any such devices currently available for the Mac? Any recommendations for alternatives?

Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Feb 1, 2007 10:00 AM

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Answer 1

tkoym Author

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Feb 8, 2007 12:25 PM in response to tkoym

I'll take that deafening silence as a "no."

Mac OS X (10.4.8)

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Answer 2

Feb 8, 2007 3:28 PM in response to tkoym

Here's one that claims OSX support, but it's $200.00 with software.
<http://www.securenetsol.com/catalog/product info.php?productsid=70>

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Answer 3

tkoym Author

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Feb 8, 2007 4:13 PM in response to tkoym

This is still the Sony Puppy. You can still find it in some online retailers' catalogs, but it has been out of stock whenever I have called about it. And since Sony has removed all traces of the Mac version of the Puppy from their website I'm reluctant to put any stake in it even if I can find units for purchase.

Mac OS X (10.4.8)

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Answer 4

davidaf

Level 1

8 points

Feb 14, 2007 4:34 PM in response to tkoym

Any luck? I'm looking for the same thing. Have been using it for a long time in the windows world.

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Answer 5

tkoym Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 12, 2007 8:53 AM in response to davidaf

Nope.

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Answer 6

Wade Peeler

Level 6

10,906 points

Mar 12, 2007 10:42 AM in response to tkoym

I don't know of any, but I just attended a lecture on biometrics at USC where the lecturer said that most commercially available biometrics have about a 30% false positive rate, which is much poorer security than regular username and password. On the bright side, the false negative rates he said are really good.

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