Send passwords directly through your body instead of using Wi-Fi

Instead of relying on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, researchers have developed a system that uses the human body to transmit passwords.

According to LiveScience, scientists and technology engineers have devised a way to transmit signals from a fingerprint scanner or touchpad through the body to another receiving device that is also connected to the human body. These "on-body" signals provide a safer method of authentication without a password.

"Suppose I want to open a door with a safety lock," said Merhdad research co-author Hessar. "I can touch the doorknob and touch the fingerprint sensor on the phone to transfer confidential information through the body to the door without leaking them in the air."

The system uses the signal produced by the fingerprint sensor on the phone and laptop touchpad. The touchpad receives information about the physical properties of user fingers.

These "on-body" signals provide a safer method of authentication without a password.

"For the first time we have found that fingerprint sensors can be used to send information attached to the human body," said Shyam Gollakota, research author, computer science aide at Washington University. .

The researchers also devised a way to receive signals produced by fingerprint and touchpad sensors in the form of corresponding data such as passwords or access codes. Instead of transmitting "airborne" sensitive data to the receiving device, the system allows that information to travel safely through the body to the receiver in the device that needs confirmation.

In tests, this system works with iPhone, trackpad Lenovo laptop and touchpad Adafruit (can be used with PC). These tests were successful with 10 people with different height, weight and fitness, in different poses and movements. The signal transmitted through the body reaches speeds of 50bps for touchpad and 25bps with the phone's sensor - fast enough to transmit a simple password or a code. Bit rate is used to measure the amount of data transmitted per second, the higher the data is transmitted.

Body signaling can also be used for medical devices, such as insulin pumps or blood glucose meters - devices that need to share data to confirm a patient's identity, according to family members. research.

Once researchers can get in touch with the software used by fingerprint sensor manufacturers, they will aim to research methods for faster and more powerful signaling.

This technology has been described in a study published on September 12 in UbiComp2016.