Face ID: You can never be too careful

By Carrie Tsai,  Last Updated: June 24, 2020TIPS

Recently, using Face ID to unlock your phone seems to be the new puzzle during the coronavirus epidemic around the world, which is unavoidable especially at a time wearing a mask is inevitable. Even though people still rely a lot on the Face ID function and it’s hard for them to get rid of it considering the IOS system’s processability. Pretty understandable for me as an iPhone user.

As we all know, fingerprint recognition was the predecessor of Face ID used to unlock the phone and Apple keeps this function in today’s IOS system. Do you know about the security and convenience between them? Don’t rush to make your judgment, as some are also worried about hackers using the bug of Face ID to illegally obtain their personal information.

More concepts about Face ID recognition when unlocking and how to raise up the security level of it would the points on the following article.

Commonplace of Fingerprint Recognition and Face ID

Biometric technologies

Before we carry on the comparison between fingerprint and Face ID recognition, you should be aware that one basic and commonplace for these two ways of identification is Biometric technologies.

As introduced on ScienceDirect, “Biometric technologies generally refer to the use of technology to identify a person based on some aspect of their biology. Fingerprint recognition is one of the first and original biometric technologies that have been grouped loosely under digital forensics.”

The website also mentioned that biometric technologies can be used straightforwardly on video surveillance cameras in large cities. for example, to record images and use sophisticated algorithms then carry out a matching exercise with an existing database of images.

Fingerprint recognition

Fingerprint recognition was one of the first techniques used for automatically identifying people and today is still one of the most popular and effective biometric techniques. It allows a person to be verified or identified through the analysis and comparison of his or her finger dermal ridges.

Face ID

As acclaimed by Apple, Face ID mitigate both digital and physical spoofing, which is to say, when a face is detected, Face ID confirms attention and intent to unlock by detecting that your eyes are open and directed at your device.

For example, The camera automatically looks for your face when you wake iPhone X or above by raising it or tapping the screen, as well as when your device attempts to authenticate you to display an incoming notification or when a supported app requests Face ID authentication.

It’s easy to find out both Face ID and fingerprint recognition has been broadly applied on different areas, like immigration services on Customs and Airport, etc. you would need to take off mask or glasses on our face, and look at the camera to let the machine to finish the facial recognition. At the same time, press your finger on the fingerprint scanner, only can you pass when both recognitions are confirmed.

Which Is Better?

On the aspect of the smartphone, both recognitions are accessible and greatly put into use. They have their pros and cons respectively, and a lot in common.

Both greatly save the process of inputting passwords. When it comes to smartphone unlock to get the access right or identification recognition during payment, both fingerprint and Face ID makes the whole process easier and timesaving to operate compared with the old way of entering the password. Not to mention when you have a different password to each account, a total disaster for those who have a memory like a sieve.

Convenience on different levels. Let start from the process of recording the “database” in the first place. the system would require users to have a comprehensive scan over fingers or faces and allows us to name it.

Face ID has strict requirement on facial feature and needs users to rotate the head for all-rounded information acquisition, while fingerprint recognition request to scan and record the unique pattern of your fingerprint: a whorl, a loop, an arch, a somewhat rarer double loop whorl.

Fingerprint and Face ID are like a replacement or back-up plan for each other while using fingerprint costs more trouble due to the poor sensor or hard to proceed due to the injured of your hand, Face ID would be the best options. But when we come to a point like wearing a mask is a must on public area and Face ID is inappropriate to be the first option, fingerprint might save your time and give you protection to some extent.

Better Safe Than Sorry

Technology development providing us a great platform for convenience in life, the enhancement of information protection is as much as important and valued. After all, you can unlock the phone with a simple glance.

Following actions might help you make your phone more secure.

Disable Apple Pay Authentications. Making the payment with Face ID might leave some hidden trouble as anyone can access your online wallet once unlocked.

Manage Apps. Some unprotected might attack your phone when Face ID is authorized, hacking your device and leaking your personal info.

Create a Strong Passcode. You can never be too careful. A complicated combination of strong passcode can decrease the danger level of being cracked.

Convenient as it is, security should be the top priority. At present, it’s hard to say it out confidently that your information has not been leaked. At least that’s the thing you should worry about.