Microsoft Fingerprint Reader

{{More citations needed|date=February 2018}}Image:Microsoft Fingerprint Reader.jpg

Microsoft Fingerprint Reader was a device sold by Microsoft, primarily for homes and small businesses. The underlying software providing the biometrics was developed by Digital Persona. First released on September 4, 2004,{{cite news|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/124978/article.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220121824/https://www.pcworld.com/article/124978/article.html|archive-date=2021-02-20|url-status=dead|title=Researcher Hacks Microsoft Fingerprint Reader|author=Robert McMillan|publisher=IDG News Service|date=2006-03-06|accessdate=2006-05-04}} this device was supported by Windows XP and Windows Vista x86 operating systems.{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/support/fingerprintreader.mspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313034206/http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/support/fingerprintreader.mspx|archive-date=2009-03-13|url-status=dead|title=Microsoft Fingerprint system requirements|website=Microsoft |accessdate=2009-06-05}} It was discontinued shortly after Windows Vista was released.{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/unknown-microsoft-products-2015-10#the-microsoft-digital-sound-system-80-3|title=11 weird products that you probably didn't know Microsoft made|last=Slater-Robins|first=Max|date=October 20, 2015|work=Business Insider|access-date=2018-02-14}}

Fingerprint readers can be more secure, reliable and convenient than a traditional password,{{cite web|url=http://paperity.org/p/82782196/biometric-security-are-inexpensive-biometric-devices-reliable-enough-to-gain-wide-spread|title=Biometric Security: Are Inexpensive Biometric Devices Reliable Enough to Gain Wide-Spread Security Usage?|last=Thanh Tran|first=Brian|date=2006-12-01|work=Inquiry}} although they have been subject to spoofing. A fingerprint recognition system is more tightly linked to a specific user than, e.g. an access card, which can be stolen.{{cite web|url=https://fossbytes.com/how-does-a-fingerprint-scanner-work-the-application-of-biometrics/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330025801/https://fossbytes.com/how-does-a-fingerprint-scanner-work-the-application-of-biometrics/|archive-date=2023-03-30|url-status=dead|title=How Does A Fingerprint Scanner Work — The Application Of Biometrics|last=Tiwari|first=Aditya|date=2016-03-27|work=Inquiry}}