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Last Updated on March 2, 2023 by Editor Futurescope
Biometric authentication has become a relatively common aspect of life over the past few years. Most banks now use fingerprint authentication to verify accounts, while some security systems use facial and voice recognition.
In the gaming world, biometrics can be used to lessen fraud, account hacking, and cheating to some degree. Here is everything you need to know about biometrics and how they can change the world of online gaming.
What is biometric authentication?
If you have played online poker or used an online betting website, you have probably already encountered a form of biometric authentication. Many of these websites require a copy of your ID, as well as a photo of your face, to verify your identity.
In simple terms, biometric authentication is the process of using a unique feature, such as someone’s voice or face, to confirm their identity. Biometric technology has been around for several years now and is most commonly found in the banking system and within some security systems.
Types of biometric authentication
While there are multiple types of biometric authentication around, there are four main types that you will encounter most often; fingertip, facial, signature, and voice.
Fingertips
Fingertip recognition is very common nowadays and is also fairly self-explanatory. As already mentioned, banks will often take your fingerprint when opening a new account and then use it to verify your identity in the future.
This is also a common feature in smartphones nowadays, with users being able to place their thumb or fingerprint on their phone’s home button to unlock their phone.
Facial
Facial recognition is not as common but is still used a lot in different fields. As stated above, some online casinos require you to upload a copy of your ID or driver’s license when registering.
Once they have approved it, you will then be required to use an app or feature created by them to take a photo of your face, which they then compare to the identification document to verify you.
Voice
Voice recognition is another uncommon form of authentication that is slowly becoming more popular. Users can upload a phrase or word, and the system will then require them to repeat it to unlock or access their account or system.
Signature
Online signatures don’t sound very secure, but the technology behind them is quite incredible. When using signatures as a biometric authenticator, the system can react to how the signature is created, as opposed to what it looks like.
If you were faking a signature, you wouldn’t create it with the same hand movements, pressures, etc., as the person who created it in the first place. The system would be able to pick up on this and therefore be able to tell if the signature is legitimate or not.
Advantages of biometric authentication in gaming
In the gaming world, biometric authentication can be used to increase the security of accounts, as well as make it harder than ever for hackers and data thieves to access them.
Can’t be lost
One of the biggest advantages of biometrics is that they can’t be lost or forgotten. Almost everything we do online requires a username and password to access, and we have to store these passwords somewhere, whether we write them down or use a password manager.
However, this information can still be accessed and stolen, and biometrics can be used as the last line of defence against data thieves.
Can’t be stolen
One of the biggest advantages of using biometrics for online games is that they can’t be stolen. Accounts and passwords can be hijacked in seconds if you know what you are doing, but the same can’t be said for someone’s face or fingerprints.
It would be incredibly difficult to steal the online image of someone when all you have is their account name and password. You can think of this like any other account you have: Amazon doesn’t know what you look like even though they have your personal information.
Can’t be faked
Another advantage of biometrics is that they are very difficult, if not impossible, to fake. While facial recognition may not be completely bulletproof, something like voice and fingerprint recognition is incredibly difficult to copy and fake. especially considering there is rarely a “hard copy” of that fingerprint.
Biometrics in gaming in the future
For biometrics to be truly beneficial in online gaming, developers need to begin implementing the features into their games, and PC, laptop, and console developers must also start including biometric features.
Right now, very few games have biometric features as the technology isn’t included in the gaming system itself. However, it would be fairly simple to implement a biometric system that is similar to the ones you find in online casinos, so expect to see that in the not-too-distant future.
