Defcon Authenticator PC Card Fingerprint Reader / OmniPass Software

Review:
The Defcon Authenticator is a fingerprint scanner that will store all of your passwords and allow you to access password protected applications and Web sites by presenting your finger rather than typing in a password. Once configured it was extremely quick and easy to use. I don't ever want to go back to trying to remember all of my passwords or typing them in.

The Defcon Authenticator ships with OmniPass security software designed to work with biometric security, namely a fingerprint reader. Once installed, the software can be configured for use with either local computer accounts or domain users accounts, and keep track of many other passwords for that particular user.

The authentication is fairly straightforward to configure through an easy-to-follow wizard, which lets you choose from single fingerprint authentication or multiple fingerprint authentication, making it even harder for someone to break in. The OmniPass software could ship with a bit more documentation, as there are quite a few options for how it interacts with your desktop, but after only about five minutes of browsing and testing it, it worked very well. I was able to set up a fingerprint- activated login to my banking information with two quick mouse clicks.

The Authenticator also worked flawlessly for logging into my computer to both a local account as well as a domain account, it did still allow for a manual password to be entered, therefore not locking the computer down to a biometric entry, however it did limit the number of passwords I had to remember or type by keeping track of all of the passwords I use for online sites, local file encryption, password protected applications and my computer passwords. Overall this is a very cool and practical tool.

Reviewed by Peter Hebenstreit