Has anyone here had success with USB fingerprint scanners? I also found this Microsoft keyboard with fingerprint reader but I don’t know if it works with linux.
Here’s the list of devices supported by fprint
For non -standalone readers, you’ll have to look up the actual fingerprint reader embedded within it.
Edit: it looks like this is a Bluetooth keyboard. My guess is it’s highly unlikely to work with Linux as a fingerprint reader.
It’s a shame that that the list doesn’t translate well into “what device can I go out and buy”? Every shitty manufacturer has to constantly churn design changes, and hide it all behind the exact same model number.
I use the DigitalPersona 4500 with libfprint. Unfortunately, there are multiple revisions of the device with the same model number and only some of them work properly under Linux (different encryption method I believe). As far as I know this is not actually documented anywhere. Googling just shows a bunch of unresolved bug reports of people having no idea why it doesn’t work.
Would you mind sharing your lsusb output?
Bus 001 Device 059: ID 05ba:000a DigitalPersona, Inc. Fingerprint ReaderIt shows up exactly the same for all the revisions though.
Almost every one of the fingerprint sensors in laptops are not supported by Linux due to proprietary protocols. Never managed to get stuff used by Dell or HP with Linux.
But the Grow R503 can be used over uart, what can be connected to usb with some minor additional parts.
Thankfully the Framework Laptop fingerprint reader works.
I recently got a Dell Latitude 14 2-in-1 with the AMD 8840U, Put on the latest Fedora Kinoite and the fingerprint reader works FYI.
same with my old Lenovo P53 (for years) -I needed adding some packages though, but that was so long ago…
same here but I have a Dell Inspiron 7415 2-in-1. Just installed fedora and it worked out of the box.
That sucks so much. I have such a cool vein scanner built in to unlock my laptop jedi style and I can’t use it because Fujitsu decided to not add support for Linux 🙄
the framework fprint reader and many Thinkpad ones work on linux
T480s here works on Ubuntu.
HP Zbook 15" G7 working out of the box but not great detection reliability (might be an unfortunate specimen). Lenovo Thinkpad T580 much better although not working out of the box on LMDE
Biometrics, huh? You know- passwords are more secure…
For simple PC unlocking etc. they are perfectly fine and improve security due to their far higher usability.
The same way 10 key files on 10 different locations combined with this and that are more secure than a simple 60 character password. But the simple password is far more practical, so far more secure overall since people actually use it.
It’s easier to steal, copy, or alternatively subpoena a fingerprint.
For most people, the only security they really need is against people either stealing devices or accessing them without permission. In those cases, biometrics (if implemented properly) and passwords are roughly equivalent.
This is why we have duress passwords.
“we” as in absolutely not most people.
Just people who include “getting beaten with a wrench by my adversaries” in their threat model
More secure legally. You generally can’t be compelled to disclose a password that incriminates you (unless it’s already apparent that you’re guilty of wrong-doing) but a thing (physical key, fingerprint, etc) isn’t protected in the same way and can be demanded by the court.
Whether biometric are secure or not is another question, they can be stolen like any other data or a motivated attacker could just take you or your fingers.
You can use a piece of tape to get a fingerprint off the case of the device. No it is not as secure as a strong password
Biometrics plus a password is even more secure.
I’m not sure why the down votes. You are completely right
They didn’t ask for security advice, though…
