Fingerprint scanner - logon/unlock application

[bretb]

Question: Using a regular USB fingerprint scanner, in a custom application running in Windows XP, can you get a fingerprint scan to unlock my custom application - while not doing anything with the Active Directory?

I want to have a custom application running and after fifteen minutes of no activity, my application will lock up (Windows will continue running without locking), then to unlock my application (not windows), I want the user to be able to scan his/her fingerprint, and if the fingerprint is valid, it unlocks the system, which then resumes normal operation. We are programming in Java Eclipse.

So far I've found only software that will log on or change log on to Windows, but I don't want that. I want the Windows logon to be a common username with no password, while my application is what is password startup/unlock. I'm trying to figure out if this is feasible and if so I want to pursue it in my application.

Does anyone have any experience or ideas on this?

Thanks.

 

[noobtechie]

Just an FYI, fingerprint is not a secured method.

Hacking fingerprint readers through gummy bears, the guy actually wrote a thesis on it, interesting read -

http://www.schneier.com/crypto-gram-0205.html#5

Summary of the fingerprint hack -

http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2002may/gee20020517011758.htm

============================
Hope this helps.

 

[bretb]

Yes, an interesting read. Thanks.

For my application, anyone in the area will have already had to go by several security cameras and entered the area using a security card. The computers are in the open and there are trusted staff there all day long. So someone coming with a gelatin finger to get in to our system is not an issue.

I would like the fingerprint reader more for speed of authenticating the users, much like them typing in a user name and password. I just need to figure out how to integrate this in to our custom Java App.

Thanks.

- Bret