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No Google, Adding Biometrics is the Opposite of Security and Privacy (infosec.pub)
submitted 1 week ago by to c/cybersecurity@sh.itjust.works
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[–] [S] 1 point 1 week ago* (2 children)

In this analogy, it would be more like a PSA to not use the deadbolt, and to make it more convenient to get in and out, just leave your backdoor unlocked. Then if you see someone walking up, you can simply lock your backdoor.

A password is a standard feature on phones, nothing to install. Avoiding biometrics is simply avoiding a bad practice.

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  • [–] 4 points 1 week ago* (1 child)

    You've misunderstood my analogy.

    Most people don't need the strongest form of protection. It's about risk profile.

    Also biometrics don't replace passwords. They supplement them. They allow certain features to be accessible with reduced security, if that fits your risk profile, while maintaining the high security of passwords for specific functionality.

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  • [–] [S] -5 points 1 week ago (1 child)

    I haven't misunderstood anything.

    Biometrics is a compromise between security and convenience. It is a bad practice for anyone actually concerned with their security, and who values security over convenience.

    You can use biometrics if you want. However, if you are going to craft analogies, try to depict the situation more accurately.

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  • [–] 8 points 1 week ago

    The analogy is perfectly accurate.

    An imperfect, simpler form of security vs a higher, more cumbersome form of security.

    Where is the problem with that analogy?

    Biometrics are not "bad practice for anyone concerned about security". They are one type of security that is sufficient and effective for certain risk profiles but not others. Users should make informed decisions based on their needs and the features of the security implementations they are considering.

    Your hyperbole is, in fact, dangerous as it pushes people who do not understand security to blindly accept policies that are not good for their risk profile. We have proof that proper usage of biometrics is more consistent with end-users than proper usage of passwords. It's not just about convenience. It's also about adoption and proper compliance.

    Absolutist policies and positions like yours do harm. Just look at how NIST recommendations have moved away from things like frequent password change enforcement because it leads to bad behavior (writing down passwords, etc)

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