What is biometric authentication?
Biometric authentication is a form of authentication that verifies a user’s identity through their unique physical (fingerprints or facial recognition) or behavioral characteristics (the typical day and time of their online grocery shopping). Biometrics are used in online and offline security, providing access to consumers’ apps, physical security, and devices like a mobile phone. Biometric authentication can include fingerprints, retinal scans, facial recognition, or voice ID, for instance.
Biometric authentication is a form of authentication that verifies a user’s identity through their unique physical (fingerprints or facial recognition) or behavioral characteristics (the typical day and time of their online grocery shopping). Biometrics are used in online and offline security, providing access to consumers’ apps, physical security, and devices like a mobile phone. Biometric authentication can include fingerprints, retinal scans, facial recognition, or voice ID, for instance.
How secure is biometric authentication?
This authentication tool is more secure than password authentication or other legacy technology that can easily be hacked by fraudsters. It offers strong security as every user has unique biometrics — an Inherence factor or something you are, like your fingerprint. Not only are biometrics a unique identifier, but they also offer an intuitive and less disruptive way for consumers to verify their identity or confirm an action, like a payment, on their mobile banking app.
How do biometrics work in banking?
Biometrics verify the identity of the person conducting the transaction or payment based on their unique biometric characteristics, like their facial features or fingerprint. Once a customer initiates a transaction or payment that requires authentication, the bank’s fraud prevention system matches their current biometric scan with what’s stored on their system, or on the customer’s device. If the two match, then the customer is authenticated and their transaction or payment proceeds. If not, the user may be denied access.
What is behavioral biometrics?
Behavioral biometrics is a specialized type of biometric technology that identifies users’ behavioral characteristics. Also referred to as behavioral biometrics, these security measures track how a user types on their keyboard, their mouse activity, or how they hold their phone, for instance. Unlike biometric authentication, behavioral biometrics doesn’t require the user to do anything as it happens silently in the background.
Example:
A consumer wants to send a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment to a relative. However, this is the first time they’re making a P2P payment to this recipient. As a result, the bank’s fraud prevention system evaluates it as an unusual or high-risk transaction. The banking app requests the user to verify their identity and confirm their action with a biometric authentication step. They press down their thumb on their mobile device to confirm that they want to make the payment, and that it is them making the payment, and then the payment is authorized.
This authentication tool is more secure than password authentication or other legacy technology that can easily be hacked by fraudsters. It offers strong security as every user has unique biometrics — an Inherence factor or something you are, like your fingerprint. Not only are biometrics a unique identifier, but they also offer an intuitive and less disruptive way for consumers to verify their identity or confirm an action, like a payment, on their mobile banking app.
How do biometrics work in banking?
Biometrics verify the identity of the person conducting the transaction or payment based on their unique biometric characteristics, like their facial features or fingerprint. Once a customer initiates a transaction or payment that requires authentication, the bank’s fraud prevention system matches their current biometric scan with what’s stored on their system, or on the customer’s device. If the two match, then the customer is authenticated and their transaction or payment proceeds. If not, the user may be denied access.
What is behavioral biometrics?
Behavioral biometrics is a specialized type of biometric technology that identifies users’ behavioral characteristics. Also referred to as behavioral biometrics, these security measures track how a user types on their keyboard, their mouse activity, or how they hold their phone, for instance. Unlike biometric authentication, behavioral biometrics doesn’t require the user to do anything as it happens silently in the background.
Example:
A consumer wants to send a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment to a relative. However, this is the first time they’re making a P2P payment to this recipient. As a result, the bank’s fraud prevention system evaluates it as an unusual or high-risk transaction. The banking app requests the user to verify their identity and confirm their action with a biometric authentication step. They press down their thumb on their mobile device to confirm that they want to make the payment, and that it is them making the payment, and then the payment is authorized.
Watch: Visa Direct - P2P payments for banks
Further reading:
Keywords:
Biometric authentication | Mobile authentication | Authentication without an app
- Blog: Behavioral biometrics replace passwords.
- Datasheet: Biometric authentication replaces customer passwords with a safer and easier authentication alternative.
- Article: Why are biometrics better than passwords?
Keywords:
Biometric authentication | Mobile authentication | Authentication without an app
