Threat of Biometric frauds and the role of Behavioral biometrics in combating them

As biometric security systems become more integrated into our daily lives, securing everything from mobile devices to secure facilities, the risk of biometric fraud also escalates. Fraudsters can exploit high-resolution imaging technologies to replicate biometric identifiers like fingerprints captured from photographs or create sophisticated voice prints capable of deceiving security measures. This breach not only compromises personal and financial security, but also exposes organizations to significant risks.

How fraudsters extract biometric data

Fraudsters have developed sophisticated techniques to illicitly obtain biometric data from unsuspecting individuals, posing a significant threat to personal and organizational security. One common method involves extracting fingerprints from photographs, particularly high-resolution images where individuals may be gesturing with their hands, such as making a 'V' sign or holding an object. These images can be enhanced to reveal detailed fingerprint patterns, which can then be replicated using advanced printing technologies to create fake fingerprints.

Similarly, fraudsters can lift latent fingerprints from objects or surfaces that individuals have touched—everything from glassware to electronic devices—which can then be used to create moulds or overlays to deceive fingerprint scanners. Apart from this, high-definition video footage can be exploited to capture facial features or iris patterns that are used in facial recognition or iris scanning systems.

The Wide-Ranging Implications of Biometric Frauds

The impact of biometric fraud extends across several critical areas:

- Privacy: Biometric data is inherently personal. Once stolen, unlike passwords, it can't be reset or changed, leading to permanent identity theft risks. For example, if a fingerprint clone is created, the victim may continually face the threat of identity fraud without any recourse.

-Financial Security: In the banking sector, biometric fraud can lead directly to financial loss. Imagine a scenario where a fraudster uses a replicated fingerprint to access a victim’s bank account via an ATM or banking app, potentially draining funds without the victim's knowledge.

- Secure Access: In sectors such as defence or research, where security is paramount, biometric fraud can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information. For instance, an intruder might use fake biometric credentials to gain entry to a secure lab, posing a significant threat to national security or intellectual property.

- Smartphone and Device Security: Many people rely on biometric features like face recognition or fingerprints to lock their devices. If these biometric details are compromised, it could lead to unauthorized access to personal data, contacts, emails, and more. An attacker could potentially lock the legitimate user out of their own device.

These underscore the urgent need for robust security measures that can detect and prevent the use of such fraudulently obtained biometric data.

What is Behavioural biometrics?

Behavioural biometrics is a cutting-edge security technology that identifies individuals based on their unique behavioural patterns rather than physical traits like fingerprints or iris patterns. This method of biometric authentication analyzes the way a person interacts with devices and applications, using these actions to create a user profile that is as unique as any physical identifier.

Behavioural biometrics focuses on measuring and recording dynamics such as typing rhythm, mouse movements, touch gestures, and even the way a device is held. For instance, it can analyze the speed at which keys are pressed and released, the pressure applied to the touchscreen, the swipe patterns, and the angles at which a device is typically held. These elements are continuously monitored to ensure consistency and authenticity of the user's interactions over time.

The strength of behavioural biometrics lies in its subtlety and difficulty in replicating. While physical biometrics can be copied or forged through sophisticated means, replicating the nuanced and unconscious way a person types or interacts with their phone is significantly more challenging. This makes behavioural biometrics an effective tool for continuous authentication, constantly verifying the user's identity in the background during sessions rather than at a single entry point.

Add to this, behavioral biometrics is highly adaptive. It can update and refine its understanding of a user’s behaviour over time, allowing it to distinguish between legitimate, evolving user behaviours and those that signify a security threat, such as a potential hacker or a stolen identity scenario. This adaptability, combined with its non-intrusive nature, makes it an excellent choice for applications requiring high security with minimal user disruption.

?How Behavioral Biometrics Can Detect Fraud

Behavioural biometrics monitor various user activities to identify potential fraud, enhancing traditional security measures:

- Typing Patterns and Speed: Behavioral biometrics can analyse how a person types, including the rhythm and pressure applied to each keystroke. For instance, if a normally fast typist suddenly starts typing slowly or with unusual delays between keystrokes, it might indicate that someone else is using their device.

- Mouse Movements: Each user has a unique way of moving their mouse. Systems can track this behaviour to detect inconsistencies such as sudden jerky movements or unnaturally fast scrolling, which could be indicative of script-based attacks or an unauthorized user.

- Navigation Patterns: Analyzing how a user typically navigates through an app or website can reveal anomalies. A user who typically follows a certain routine within an application but suddenly deviates in an unusual manner may be a signal of account takeover.

- Touch Gesture Analysis: On smartphones and tablets, how a person taps, swipes, and pinches can signal unauthorized use. An abrupt change in how these gestures are performed, especially if they become less fluid or more hesitant, might suggest someone else is attempting to use the device.

- Scrolling Behavior: Behavioral biometrics can distinguish between human scrolling patterns and those generated by bots, which are often linear and lack the slight irregularities of human interaction.

- Time and Length of Sessions: Unusual session times or durations, such as a banking session occurring in the middle of the night or lasting much longer than usual, can indicate fraudulent activity.

- Location and IP Address Analysis: If a login attempt is made from a new device or an unusual location far from the user’s normal areas, this could be a red flag for potential unauthorized access.

-Device Fingerprinting: This involves creating a unique profile of a user's device based on attributes like screen resolution, browser type, and operating system. An access attempt from a device with a different fingerprint could indicate fraud.

-Transaction History: Looking at patterns in transaction history can uncover irregular behaviours, such as sudden large transfers or purchases that deviate from the user's normal spending patterns.

-Language and Communication Habits: Monitoring the language and syntax used in communications can help identify phishing attempts or cases where an intruder might be impersonating a legitimate user.

Mitigating Risks Through Comprehensive Strategies

To effectively counteract biometric frauds, organisations need to employ robust strategies that incorporate the following:

- Advanced Encryption and Masking: Biometric data should be encrypted and stored in fragments to prevent full data exposure during a breach.

- Multifactor Authentication: Adding layers of security, such as requiring a password besides a biometric identifier, can significantly strengthen security defences.

- Regular Security Updates: Ensuring that biometric systems are regularly updated with the latest security patches can mitigate vulnerabilities that might be exploited by fraudsters.

- Utilization of AI for Enhanced Security: AI can analyze additional factors to verify the authenticity of biometric data, such as checking for signs of live presence in fingerprint scans or subtle eye movements in iris recognition systems.

Conclusion

As biometric technologies become increasingly integrated into our daily security protocols, the sophistication of biometric frauds also advances. The use of behavioural biometrics offers a promising solution by analyzing a combination of behaviour patterns to detect and prevent unauthorized access effectively. By incorporating robust encryption, multifactor authentication, and the latest AI technologies, we can safeguard against these evolving threats and enhance both individual and organizational resilience in this digital age.