biometric authentication is a bad idea; pass-words/pass-phrases are better
Biometric authentication is a poor substitute for pass-phrases for at least three reasons.
1. Problem of Scope: One would not want to use the same authentication factor in many places because then all those places could have the credentials of the other locations.
2. Problem of Longevity: Biometrics are persistent. You many no longer want to do business with someplace you provided your biometric data but who is to say that will continue to protect or destroy this valuable personal information.
3. Problem of Compromise: If an authentication factor such as a pass-phrase becomes stolen or otherwise compromised, one need simply change it. If a biometric authentication factor becomes compromised, say somebody captures your fingerprint, then you screwed.
This is explained in better detail here: http://growingliberty.com/thumbs-down-for-fingerprint-identification
Biting the hand that feeds IT
