Newsgroups: comp.society.futures
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!uupsi!sugar!jasona
From: jasona@sugar.hackercorp.com (Jason Asbahr)
Subject: Tracking and security
Message-ID: <1991May15.215007.26679@sugar.hackercorp.com>
Keywords: phones, etc
Organization: Sugar Land Unix -- Houston, TX
Date: Wed, 15 May 1991 21:50:07 GMT


Gordon L. Burditt (sneaky.lonestar.org!gordon) writes:
 
>>If you're against implanted *tracking* chips, then the objection is
>>surely a 'civil liberties' one and not a technology-based objection.
>
>There already are external tracking devices in popular use.  People
>carry them around voluntarily.	They provide a perceived benefit to the
>people who carry them unrelated to tracking, and many probably don't
>realize the tracking capability is there.  These people even *PAY MONEY*
>for the tracking devices.  The actual amount of tracking being done is
>unknown.
>
>P.S. Cellular phones may not be very *GOOD* tracking devices, but they
>can be located within a few miles.
 
Cellular phones can be located only when they are transmitting.  The
concern over implanted tracking chips is that they might not have that
option.  :)
 
 
makr@and.cs.liv.ac.uk writes:
 
>>As per the cursive script, I think this may take a few more years yet,
>>but it is by no means impossible. Especially if we train the system
>>only to recognise <your> handwriting.
>
>This could bring about a revolution in computer security.  Imagine a
>machine that ONLY responds to YOUR handwriting.  Instead of "login,
>password" we could have "sign here to access your account sir".
>  :-)
 
If you work for a company that deals with relatively sensitive data, you
may be seeing part of a similar computer security "revolution".  Maybe
it would be better to say that it would be seeing you!!
 
I recently came into contact with a representative of "Comprehensive
Security Concepts", a company that markets EyeTRAX computer systems.
 
The brochure claims "EyeTRAX signature as unique as a fingerprint or a
voiceprint" and "Cannot be altered or fraudulently used" ... 
 
The way the systems works is pretty simple (in concept at least).  You
look into a device that resembles an electronic eye-wash station and line
up (by focusing) a set of glowing circles into a concentric pattern.  Then
you hit the enter key on a mounted keypad.  The salesguy told me that the
devices scanned the blood vessel pattern of my retina in an area ranging
from 5 to 10 mm, digitizing and saving the results.  On my second try,
I got an 85% match of my first -- close enough.  
 
The salesguy hawked EyeTRAX as not only great for security but also 
wonderful for drug/fatigue/illness testing.  The idea is that each user
not only has a unique blood vessel pattern, but also a "unique" focus.
So whenever he/she lines up those circles, the data is affected by the
power of the user's focus.  Drug use, fatigue, and illness apparently 
alter this factor and result in an unsatisfactory percentage result.
 
CSC is trying to push the system into the commercial sector, highlighting
its many uses.  CSC also provides "personel and materials for a drug
awareness/education program tailored to meet your needs", "professional
help to counsel, educate, or rehabilitate employees on an out-patient
or in-patient basis", medical screening, narcotics and arson dogs, 
private investigators, OSHA certified safety engineers "to survey your
operation and design any necessary programs", and "insurance consultation
with unsurpassed track records".  
 
Installing EyeTRAX apparently also reduces insurance premiums, because it
catches problems before they happen.  :)
 
 
             -Jason Asbahr
              jasona@sugar.hackercorp.com
              jasona@nuchat.sccsi.com
-- 
