Your Face – The Truth About Biometric Data Theft
It all started with a smile. Byron’s new fitness app promised to tell him his new “biological age” but required a selfie to validate his account. So guess what he did? Snapped it for the app and went about his day. Although he didn’t quite agree with their age calculation later that night, he totally brushed it off and slathered on more skin care product.
A few weeks later, he saw a delivery app charge him for food several states away. Then his bank app asked him to confirm a new device. The kicker was when his pharmacy required him to update his new insurance card before picking up a prescription. He didn’t even have a prescription to pick up. “I better change my passwords,” he told his wife. That didn’t work. Stranger things kept happening. And she kept asking him about it. Annoying.
Even though he was proactive about updating his accounts, the problem was that he couldn’t change his face (well, technically he could have but extreme plastic surgery wasn’t in his five-year plan).
Hackers know you can’t just change the features that make you uniquely you. That data is one-of-a-kind and as permanent as it gets … which is why it is so powerful for authentication and totally devastating when compromised.
That fun little fitness app that quietly stored his facial data, their security wasn’t so great. They got hacked. Unlike that password you can’t quite remember, you can’t swap out your face or your fingerprints for new ones. So, what can you do?
– Make multi-factor authentication your new best friend. It might add an extra 15 seconds to your day, but your bank account’s balance is worth it in the long run.
– When your device tells you, “Software Update Available: Install Now?” don’t blink!
– Don’t automatically opt in. Get your readers out and check the fine print before handing over your face, fingerprints or your eyeballs to an app.
Guard Well Identity Theft Solutions exists to provide you, your family and your employees from the damages of identity theft. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Member Services team immediately. We are always available for you 24/7/365 at 888.966.4827 (GUARD).