Editing Biometrics (section)

{{Short description|Metrics related to human characteristics}}
{{Hatnote group|
{{For|the academic journal|Biometrics (journal){{!}}''Biometrics'' (journal)}}
{{Distinguish|Biostatistics{{!}}Biometry}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}

'''Biometrics''' are body measurements and calculations related to human characteristics and features. Biometric [[authentication]] (or realistic authentication) is used in [[computer science]] as a form of identification and access control. It is also used to identify individuals in groups that are under [[surveillance]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Blanco-Gonzalo |first1=Ramon |last2=Lunerti |first2=Chiara |last3=Sanchez-Reillo |first3=Raul |last4=Guest |first4=Richard Michael |date=2018-03-22 |title=Biometrics: Accessibility challenge or opportunity? |journal=PLOS ONE |language=en |volume=13 |issue=3 |pages=e0194111 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0194111 |doi-access=free |issn=1932-6203 |pmc=5864003 |pmid=29565989|bibcode=2018PLoSO..1394111B }}</ref>

Biometric identifiers are the distinctive, measurable characteristics used to label and describe individuals. Biometric identifiers are often categorized as physiological characteristics which are related to the shape of the body. Examples include, but are not limited to [[fingerprint]],<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Cao |first1=Liling |last2=Ge |first2=Wancheng |date=2015-03-10 |title=Analysis and improvement of a multi-factor biometric authentication scheme: Analysis and improvement of a MFBA scheme |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/sec.1010 |journal=Security and Communication Networks |language=en |volume=01 |issue=4 |pages=617–625 |doi=10.1002/sec.1010|url-access=subscription }}</ref> palm veins, [[Facial recognition system|face recognition]], [[DNA]], [[palm print]], [[hand geometry]], [[iris recognition]], [[Retinal scan|retina]], odor/scent, voice, shape of ears and gait. Behavioral characteristics are related to the pattern of behavior of a person, including but not limited to [[mouse tracking|mouse movement]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Villas-Boas|first=Antonio|title=Passwords are incredibly insecure, so websites and apps are quietly tracking your mouse movements and smartphone swipes without you knowing to make sure it's really you |quote=Passwords are incredibly insecure, so websites and apps are quietly tracking your mouse movements and Android swipes without you knowing to make sure it's really you|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/websites-apps-track-mouse-movements-screen-swipes-security-behavioral-biometrics-2019-7|access-date=2021-11-22|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Keystroke dynamics|typing rhythm]], [[gait analysis|gait]], [[Signature recognition|signature]], [[Speaker recognition|voice]], and behavioral profiling. Some researchers have coined the term '''behaviometrics''' (behavioral biometrics) to describe the latter class of biometrics.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Alzubaidi|first1=Abdulaziz|last2=Kalita|first2=Jugal|date=2016|title=Authentication of Smartphone Users Using Behavioral Biometrics|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/comst.2016.2537748|journal=IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials|volume=18|issue=3|pages=1998–2026|doi=10.1109/comst.2016.2537748|issn=1553-877X|arxiv=1911.04104|s2cid=8443300}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Yang |first1=Wencheng |last2=Wang |first2=Song |last3=Sahri |first3=Nor Masri |last4=Karie |first4=Nickson M. |last5=Ahmed |first5=Mohiuddin |last6=Valli |first6=Craig |date=2021-09-14 |title=Biometrics for Internet-of-Things Security: A Review |journal=Sensors |volume=21 |issue=18 |pages=6163 |doi=10.3390/s21186163 |doi-access=free |issn=1424-8220 |pmc=8472874 |pmid=34577370|bibcode=2021Senso..21.6163Y }}</ref>

More traditional means of access control include [[Security token|token-based identification systems]], such as a driver's [[license]] or [[passport]], and knowledge-based identification systems, such as a password or personal identification number. Since biometric identifiers are unique to individuals, they are more reliable in verifying identity than token and knowledge-based methods; however, the collection of biometric identifiers raises privacy concerns.