Re: ****CyberWatch Security With Face Recognition 08/07/96

[Julian Assange <proff@suburbia.net>]

> 
> Some of the information that can be protected includes medical,  
> financial, criminal, or military records, officials said. The system 
> requires no training, is fast to use, and cannot be fooled by holding 
> up a photo of a person. 
> 
> This technology has been used in other situations, including the  
> securing of buildings or special areas, officials said. 
> 
> TrueFace CyberWatch is compatible with PC client/server standards and  
> can be used alone or with other security programs, officials said. 
> 
> The client runs on Windows 95 and Windows NT operating systems, and  
> costs $199. A bundle package, which includes a Connectix camera and 
> the software, is priced at $298. Both products will be shipping 
> within the next two months, officials said. 

Useless system for any high security application. May be good for
low-security applications if you are dealing with people who are too
stupid to use tokens.

The reality is that people do not treat their faces like secret keys
(depending on sex, religous beliefs and how many warts they may have). A
regular photo may not fool the device, however one specifically developed
for the purpose may, or if the device has some sort of depth perception,
a hologram or modeled head - all of which can be obtained from publically
availabe data - your face.

-- 
"Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely  exercised for the good of its victims  
 may be the most  oppressive.  It may be better to live under  robber barons  
 than  under  omnipotent  moral busybodies,  The robber baron's  cruelty may  
 sometimes sleep,  his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who  
 torment us for own good  will torment us  without end,  for they do so with 
 the approval of their own conscience."    -   C.S. Lewis, _God in the Dock_ 
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