How is a passcode lock possibly more secure than biometrics?

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In every device that you can unlock with biometrics like fingerprint or face scanner (Laptops, Tablets, Phones, etc.), they often claim entering a password is safer than using biometrics, and they block the most secure settings and information behind a passcode rather than a quick fingerprint or face scanner. Wouldn’t it be easier to steal a password than it would be to physically copy someone’s fingerprint?

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Anonymous 0 Comments

There are two aspects to access control. You can either test based off of what/who you are, or what you know.

Who/what you are is hard to copy, but also hard to hide or change. If someone wants to unlock your phone, they only have to physically overpower you and put your face/finger to the phone to unlock it. However, if they don’t have access to your physical self, then they’ll have a very hard time getting it.

What you know is easy to copy, but easy to hide or change. Someone can copy your password any number of ways (phishing, key-logger, simple surveillance, etc.) and then use it easily. However, if you know your password has been breached (or just every once in a while), you can easily change the password and the attacker will be back to square one.

Biometrics provide no protection against someone who is physically interacting with you, while passwords can always provide some level of protection (even if it requires resisting physical injury).

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