Exchanging Pictures To Generate Passwords

Roland Piquepaille writes "Today, Ileana Buhan, a Romanian computer scientist, is presenting her PhD Thesis at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. She is using biometrics to protect confidential information when it is exchanged between two mobile devices. This is a very innovative approach to security. Buhan's biometric application will generate almost unbreakable passwords from photos taken by the connected users. Here is how it works. 'To do this, two users need to save their own photos on their PDAs. They then take photos of each other. The PDA compares the two photos and generates a security code for making a safe connection.'"

Re:Been done before

[MoFoQ]

and how they had to have this cyborg dolphin with cracking it...

so...if the dolphins go extinct....then it'll be secure?

Re:Key change?

[Anonymous Coward]

As usual, how do you change a compromised key?

Easy, use a 12 gauge shotgun to randomize a new key.

Re:Oh Dear

[WarJolt]

Cameras can steal your passwords; Maybe theres some validity to what they say about cameras stealing your soul.

Re:Oh Dear

[Anonymous Coward]

What if the photo is based on Bob or Alice's genitals?

For many people (fewer every year it seems), this would be a pretty good way to ensure a secret picture.

Security challenge!!!!

[gandhi_2]

If you "lose" your picture, you can always "reset" your picture or have it emailed to you.

Just upload the following:

A picture of your highschool.

A picture of your first pet.

A picture of your first car.

Re:Oh Dear

[Anonymous Coward]

The real advantage then, is for the Japanese. Because you won't know if they are exchanging information or just taking pictures.

Re:Oh Dear

[QRDeNameland]

Would that be pornometrics?

Everybody missing what is important

[rossz]

It looks like everybody is missing the most important part of this article. The computer geek in question is a SHE!!!1!!!!~

We need photos.

As an extra security layer

[mvanvoorden]

It might be a good idea to take a picture of Bob and Alice shaking hands, to be certain the handshake is secured, too. If there's proof the handshake really took place, you know you're connected to who you're supposed to be connecting with!