Security experts always recommend users to enable two-factor authentication to secure the devices as much as possible. In two-factor authentications, users receive a one-time-password via text messages or they have to swipe their fingers across a sensor, but now NEC has come with an even easier method, as they think verifying one's identity should be done without the users having to make any extra effort.
That's why the company has developed a pair of biometric earbuds.
The wireless buds authenticate the identification of a wearer by utilizing otoacoustic emission, which is a sound that generates from within the inner ear.
NEC's headphones make use of an embedded microphone. They look for subtle variations in the signal that occur due to the unique differences in our ears. The signal changes subtly as it bounces back from our ear canal, which the earbuds use to verify the wearer's identity, reported Forbes.
According to NEC, the otoacoustic tech in these earbuds has a success rate of over 99%. Although, fingerprint sensors can get closer to a perfect 100%, but they're not as convenient as a pair of earbuds, for sure. Also, earbuds can't be fooled like fake fingerprints can and they're not as likely to be thrown off by environmental factors.
NEC is certainly not the only one looking for more accurate and convenient alternative. Toronto-based company Nymi has developed a wristband that uses the wearer's heartbeat to authenticate identification, a technology which is quite likely to get incorporated by other fitness trackers ad smartwatches in the future.
Google has been working on Project Abacus, which will one day be able to allow you to automatically sign in to apps on your phone or tablet simply because it knows you're you by the particular way you interact with your device, says the company.
