Samsung Galaxy S5 will be at least the third smartphone to have a fingerprint sensor for security but it's alone in letting you use that for general shopping, thanks to a partnership with PayPal.The sensor brings convenience for entering passcodes and could encourage more people to lock their phones. But fingerprint security isn't foolproof.Here's what to know as you consider whether to place your trust in it:The S5 has a sensor on the home button, just like Apple's iPhone 5S. On the S5, you train the phone to recognize your finger by swiping on it seven times. You also enter a passcode as a backup, so you're not locked out if the device doesn't recognize your print. On the iPhone, that can happen if your hand is greasy or wet, for instance.
The phone then converts the fingerprint information into a mathematical representation, known as a hash, and stores that in a secured location on the device. Samsung says that information stays on the device and is never shared.When you want to unlock your phone, you simply swipe on the home button. A hash is again created and must match the one the phone already has. Otherwise, the phone stays locked.You can do this with up to three fingers on the S5, compared with five on the iPhone. On the S5, you must swipe down. On the iPhone, you simply hold your finger on the home button, and you can do that sideways or upside down as well.
The HTC One Max also has a fingerprint sensor, though tests by The Associated Press have shown it to be inconsistent in recognizing prints.
Drew Blackard, director of US product planning at Samsung, says other forms of authentication have their flaws, too. Android phones let you swipe a pattern on the screen in lieu of a pass code, but Blackard points out it's possible to guess the pattern by examining the screen for smudges.
It's not bulletproof security, but it's more secure than existing methods, he says.
Despite the risks, Bennett says he sees potential.
"If it results in more people locking their phone,'' he says, "it improves security.
The phone then converts the fingerprint information into a mathematical representation, known as a hash, and stores that in a secured location on the device. Samsung says that information stays on the device and is never shared.When you want to unlock your phone, you simply swipe on the home button. A hash is again created and must match the one the phone already has. Otherwise, the phone stays locked.You can do this with up to three fingers on the S5, compared with five on the iPhone. On the S5, you must swipe down. On the iPhone, you simply hold your finger on the home button, and you can do that sideways or upside down as well.
The HTC One Max also has a fingerprint sensor, though tests by The Associated Press have shown it to be inconsistent in recognizing prints.
Drew Blackard, director of US product planning at Samsung, says other forms of authentication have their flaws, too. Android phones let you swipe a pattern on the screen in lieu of a pass code, but Blackard points out it's possible to guess the pattern by examining the screen for smudges.
It's not bulletproof security, but it's more secure than existing methods, he says.
Despite the risks, Bennett says he sees potential.
"If it results in more people locking their phone,'' he says, "it improves security.
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