Author: JT

Biometric mobile security authentication used by 1 in 5 Brits

| September 30, 2016

A new Deloitte study revealed that smartphone users in the country are using fingerprints as passwords.

British smartphone users have adopted biometric mobile security methods to a significant degree. Deloitte released a study indicating that 20 percent of smartphone users in Great Britain authenticate using fingerprints. This suggests that the general public is becoming increasingly comfortable with the concept.

The mobile security study was conducted with the participation of 4,000 consumers across Great Britain.

The biometric mobile security study was called “There’s no place like phone.” That report determined that among the respondents, 63 percent were using PINs and passwords for mobile phone authentication. Another 21 percent were using mobile device fingerprint sensors for that purpose.

Biometric Mobile Security - fingerprint scanningThe report stated, “We expect ownership of fingerprint readers to continue increasing rapidly.” It also added that “Many millions of people are likely to acquire a handset with a fingerprint reader over the coming year (either as a new or second-hand phone) and some people who currently have a fingerprint reader may start using it, as more apps offer this functionality.”

The report provided a number of reasons that biometric mobile security may be stronger than other forms.

It pointed out that using fingerprint authentication technology is quick, simple and inconspicuous. Moreover, its successful completion isn’t dependent on certain ambient conditions as is the case with many other forms of biometrics. Bright sunlight, for example, doesn’t reduce the effectiveness of this method. Similarly, a noisy room won’t change the accuracy of the scan. That said, according to the report, 2 percent of participants did use facial recognition or voice recognition to authenticate.

The outcome of this study is not unlike those from a prior Visa Europe study. That research indicated that people in Great Britain feel that they can trust government agencies and banks to keep their biometric data safe. As a result, they feel that they aren’t risking unauthorized access of their biometric mobile security data.

When those consumers were asked if they would trust this type of mobile security technology to confirm their identity, 85 percent said they would trust it with their banks. Another 81 percent would trust this method with certain payment methods. Seventy percent trust global online brands with this method. Finally, 64 percent said they would use this with their smartphone companies.

Samsung phone fires not caused by batteries after all

| September 21, 2016

A supplier in China has reported that a joint probe pointed to “outside factors” as the cause of the Galaxy Note 7 problems.

The Samsung phone fires in the Galaxy Note 7 have made their way to China. Videos of the exploding mobile devices went viral last weekend. Some stores in the country pulled them from the shelves while some new owners sought to return them.

However, the South Korean electronics company released a statement following device test results.

So far, the Samsung phone fires don’t appear to be caused by faulty batteries, as had been suspected. At least, that is what the company has been saying following the results of tests conducted on the devices. At least one of the exploding Galaxy Note 7 phones was heated from the outside, not internally, said Samsung.

samsung-phone-fire-explosionThe electronics giant has said that the small number of Galaxy Note 7 phones that were set aside for presale in China are not among those containing faulty batteries. There have been battery issues in versions of the device launched in other countries. The company is currently dealing with the recall of 2.5 million units in the United States and 9 other countries.

China is the largest smartphone market in the world, but it has not been impacted by the Samsung phone fires recall.

That said, it isn’t yet clear whether or not the statement from Samsung will be enough to assuage the concerns of consumers and merchants. The world has already watched the company cope with the massive recall of the first wave of fire-prone batteries in the smartphones. For a device that already retails for over $800, this could cause people – and stores – to think twice.

The widespread news of the exploding phones in China could be very problematic to the company, regardless of whether or not they are to blame. The fact that this is occurring in the largest phone market in the world must be causing some sweat to break out.

The tests were conducted by the battery supplier for the Chinese market phones, Amperex Technology Ltd. It conducted the tests jointly with Samsung using one of the devices that were part of the Samsung phone fires in China. The examination revealed that the battery hadn’t been the source of the problems.