Secure Continuous Biometric-Enhanced Authentication (CMU-CS-00-134)

Biometrics have the potential to solidify person-authentication by examining "unforgeable" features of individuals. This paper explores issues involved with effective integration of biometric-enhanced authentication into computer systems and design options for addressing them. Because biometrics are not secrets, systems must not use them like passwords; otherwise, biometric-based authentication will reduce security rather than increase it. A novel biometric-enhanced authentication system, based on a trusted camera that continuously uses face recognition to verify identity, is described and evaluated in the context of Linux. With cryptographically-signed messages and continuous authentication, the difficulty of bypassing desktop authentication can be significantly increased.