With an advancement of the technology there have been invented new ways how to secure data. Now apart from using passwords companies offer faster, more convinient ways to unlock an elecrtonic device. The two most important, and the focus of this post, are Face ID and Touch ID. Which one is more convinient, and which one is more secure?
Firstly let’s talk about convinience. In various situations either of this choices is better than another one, for example: after doing an exercise fingers are likely to be sweaty and won’t be able to unlock the device, however in the dark the face cannot be seen, so unlocking with face ID is not possible. So it basicly comes down to personal opinion and situation which is more convinient for each person.
Second thing, and arguably more important, is the security of the measures. In the article linked below, the author states that face ID is more secure, however in my opinion it is the opposite. It is stated by Apple, who developed these methods, that the chance for Iphone being unlocked by similar finger is 1/50’000, and 1/1’000’000 for similar face, although in reality there have been multiple unlocks by family members and faces that aren’t similar at all. Article also mentions that Face ID cannot be fooled by a picture or a video of a person, yet that also has been proven false by the hackers. It’s more difficult to do something like this for Touch ID, you’d have to either touch the device with a finger when the owner is sleeping, or 3D print it, which can be also done with a face and eye stickers.
In conclusion I believe touch ID proved to be more secure, while the convenience is about the same. The password is still the best option, but still, from these 2 options mentioned above, unlocking device with a finger is a better choice.
Article:https://www.intego.com/mac-security-blog/apple-security-touch-id-vs-face-id/
Sources:https://www.nextgov.com/ideas/2019/12/fingerprint-login-should-be-secure-defence-our-data-most-us-dont-use-it-properly/161669/
https://phoenixcellular.com/news/face-id-vs-fingerprint/
In terms of convince I believe Touch ID wins. As an owner of devices unlocked by both of these technologies, I must say though that Face ID, especially since the pandemic has started, proven to be less effective. When you’re wearing a mask Face ID just doesn’t work and there’s nothing you can do about it. When it comes to security I haven’t heard a single case where someone could unlock somebody else’s device. Also it’s not so easy to trick the Face ID algorithm and scanning someone’s picture is insufficient. Technology implemented in Face ID projects red dots on your face and than beams them back to your phone where it checks not only their location in 2D but also differences in depth between them. So in order to trick Face ID you’d have to make a precise 3D model of a given face and to do that you’d need to know dimensions of the whole head.
As an owner of devices with both Touch ID and Face ID technologies, I cannot agree that TouchID is better to use than Face ID. It seems to me that both technologies are equally good – it’s a shame that Apple is not of the same opinion and does not install both technologies in devices. After a few years of using mostly Face ID it seems to me a very convenient solution – you literally don’t have to do anything but look at the screen. The technology also works at night thanks to an infrared sensor so I do not know why this error in information. However, it can fail especially now in the era of pandemics when you have to wear masks. Fortunately for smartwatch owners there is an option to detect the mask on your face and unlock it while wearing the watch – a great convenience however not everyone has this equipment. Touch ID is also good when it is in the Home button, but when it is on the side of the case on the switch it can be a nuisance in places, especially when you have a thicker case. However, you also need to have clean hands and you can’t wear any gloves. As I said at the beginning it would be best if the device had both of these technologies, unfortunately so far there is no indication of such a solution. Regarding security, I haven’t heard of cases where a phone secured with Touch ID or Face ID was unlocked so easily. So it seems to me that both of these security technologies will be a safe choice.