How Would Fingerprint Technology Benefit iphone

Reports indicate Apple is going to put a fingerprint sensor into its new flagship phone, but what would that mean in practice? Follow the iPhone 5S and 5C launch live here. A fingerprint reader or sensor scans your fingerprint and matches it to a pre-defined image of your finger. Since every fingerprint is unique, the system can then securely verify your identity. Potentially, fingerprint readers could sound the death knell for passwords. The multi-character password is a failing piece of security, given that pretty much any password can be cracked by high-powered computers these days, regardless of how long or complex it is. Two-factor authentication, where another piece of the security puzzle, such as a secret code or key, is used to strengthen simple password logins is currently the best system on offer to consumers. In theory, fingerprint scanners could allow users to completely remove the need for passwords, securely logging into their phones, and enabling higher securit...