Digital Security You Can Touch

Digital Security You Can Touch

Written By
Peter Coffee
Peter Coffee
Apr 23, 2001
1 minute read
eWeek content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More

As handheld devices hold more personal data and become the entry points to hosted financial and medical services, users will be increasingly concerned about the personal loyalty of these digital assistants. Authentication must be tied to the user, not to the device, if loss or theft is to be an annoyance, not a catastrophe.

Passwords are notoriously weak as a means of data protection—often poorly secured and even more often easily guessed. A biometric interface, such as the Pocket PC fingerprint scanner prototype shown by the International Biometric Group at Comdex earlier this month, can put authentication at users fingertips.

Hardware developers can explore integrated fingerprint systems with tools from providers such as AuthenTec (www.authentec.com)

eWeek Logo

eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site's focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.