Fingerprint Reader Or Not?

[Maheriano]

I can add it to my Dell laptop that I'm ordering today for an extra $20. I've never used one before and not sure if I trust the security of biometrics at all. I have a 13 character password with a mixture of letters, symbols and numbers that I use regularly and take all precautions I can when it comes to security on my machine. Think I should go ahead and get it? Money's not a factor, I just don't want it on my machine annoying me if I won't use it.

I'll be dual booting Vista with Ubuntu 8.1 and eventually 9.04 when it's released.

[Technoviking]

I have never found them useful and sometimes unreliable (in any OS).

[Giant Speck]

Fingerprint scanners aren't very secure or reliable.

You are better off with a solid password.

[fatality_uk]

They can be very useful, for instance in conjunction with apps like BlueProximity, making ease of use greater.

[kamitsukai]

To be honest for an extra $20.00 it's well worth it but it is more of a gimmick than anything else;) and I think your better off with your 13 character Password (that's insanely safe =] although saying that mines 10...lol)

[Dr Small]

I'd put more reliable security in your 13 character (non-dictionary word) password, than I would in a fingerprint reader.

[smbm]

I have a fingerprint reader built into my laptop.

I tried it once but found it to be very unreliable.

I wouldn't trust it with any serious security either.

My advice would be to spend the $20 on some peanut butter m&ms and send them to me in the post :)