FB pixel

Microsoft releases keyboard featuring fingerprint reader for secure logins

 

Microsoft recently released a premium keyboard with a fingerprint reader, which is designed to help users improve security and quickly log into their accounts, according to a report by eWeek.

The Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID, which retails for $129.99, is equipped with Fingerprints Cards’ FPC1025 touch fingerprint sensor, making it the first keyboard to include a “hidden” fingerprint sensor in a conventional key.

And while there is no sensor strip to give away its presence or impact the keyboard’s sleek design, there is a fingerprint icon next to the right Alt key that marks the sensor’s position.

The keyboard with scanner works with Windows Hello, the biometrics authentication feature included in Windows 10. During setup, users can easily configure Windows Hello to enable sign-ins.

The combined use of Windows Hello and supporting hardware helps users avoid reusing passwords, which is one of the leading causes of compromised accounts.

In a recent study by security organization Digital Shadows, analysts found that password reuse was a common practice in the case of millions of compromised credentials from top companies.

“Studies show more than 80 percent of people use the same password across multiple web sites, managing around 20-30 different accounts. We want to make sure that everyone running Windows 10 can experience the beautiful relief that comes from letting go of your written Pa55w0Rd5,” Jennifer Thompson, product marketing manager at Microsoft Accessories, wrote in a blog post. “So we worked to deliver a predictable, intent-driven and simple solution for someone to quickly and securely log into their PC, or authenticate an action.”

Thompson added that the keyboard’s fingerprint sensor enables users to successfully complete logins in less than two seconds, or three times faster than it usually takes to enter in a password.

Article Topics

 |   |   |   |   | 

Latest Biometrics News

 

African nations making digital ID gains in the face of common challenges

Several countries in Africa are on the right track with their national digital ID projects, but this is not coming…

 

Digidentity enables remote onboarding registration for GMC doctors in UK

Healthcare continues to open up as a potentially major market for biometrics and reusable digital identity, as evidenced by the…

 

Explaining W3C Verifiable Credentials and biometrics a key mission for Dock Labs

All legitimate credentials can be verified – but not all credentials are Verifiable Credentials. It sounds a bit like a…

 

Ethiopia reveals strategy behind digital ID progress as ID4Africa 2025 opens

Ethiopia’s Fayda digital ID program successes were in the spotlight on the first day of ID4Africa 2025 in the country’s…

 

ID4Africa 2025 begins with record numbers, urgency and Ethiopian PM’s address

ID4Africa’s 2025 AGM kicked off today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, attended by Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali and several…

 

DHS invites comments on new biometric sensor performance studies

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is inviting public comments on a proposed information collection initiative that is aimed…

Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Biometric Market Analysis

Most Viewed This Week

Featured Company

Biometrics Insight, Opinion

Digital ID In-Depth

Biometrics White Papers

Biometrics Events