How to add cheap Windows Hello biometric security to any PC right now
Since the unveiling of the Surface Pro 4 last year, consumers in the market for a brand new Windows PC have been witnessing a growing array of options that includes enhanced security, with a focus on biometric recognition, beyond Microsoft’s own offerings.
Manufacturers have been gearing up to offer biometric unlocking on laptops and 2-in-1s for some time, and while it’s true that biometrics enhanced PCs used to be traditionally on the expensive side, the crowd of manufacturers making affordable Windows PCs that integrate at least a fingerprint reader, includes names like Asus, ThinkPad, Fujitsu and Toshiba, with a price tag ranging from $700 to a little over a thousand dollars.
For those who do not have any biometric security on their devices, a quick glance at the options available include some rather high-end equipment, often designed for enterprise use, and in the range of $200-$300. One of the most comprehensive biometric devices is the AMG FR-2000. The AMG FR-2000 comes with different options, and can cost up to $700. This device integrates four methods of authentication, including face recognition, fingerprint scanner, proximity badges, and PIN password, however, it’s most definitely overkill to the average consumer, not to mention the bulk of a unit designed to be installed on walls and other stationary kiosks.
With that said, there are ways to enhance any laptop, and even desktop PC, with some basic biometric security, without breaking the bank. The Eikon Mini is $25 gadget capable of enabling fingerprint authentication to any Windows 10 laptop, 2-in-1, and desktop PC.
Being barely the size of a human thumb, the Eikon Mini fits into any USB 2.0 port, and requires no configuration at all, as it’s designed to be automatically recognized by Windows 10’s own drivers, and able to work seamlessly with Windows Hello.
Considering that most existing fingerprint scanners can cost over $50, and can be a bit too obtrusive for the typical laptop user, the Eikon Mini is the next best thing after the fingerprint scanner built into the Surface Pro 4’s keyboard cover, offering an extremely low profile and accessibility on nearly every laptop.
It goes without saying that desktop PC users who may be interested in adding biometric security to their desk-bound PCs, should ideally make sure that their computer has a USB port accessible enough, or at the very least, an external USB hub, and at the most, a wired keyboard fitted with a USB port, which is probably the convenient way to go for most users.
As mentioned earlier, the Eikon Mini requires no additional drivers, and Windows 10 will configure it automatically, as soon as it’s plugged in. Once the installation is complete, registering the user’s fingerprint isn’t anymore complicated than setting up Touch-ID on an iPhone. Simply open the Settings app, and navigate to Accounts > Sign-in options.
The only caveat is that the Eikon Mini doesn’t work like a typical fingerprint reader, such as the one on the Surface Book. The fingerprint reader on Surface devices lets users login simply by pressing a finger on the scanner. On the other hand, the Eikon Mini requires the user to swipe the finger on the device, which might take some adjustment before becoming a habit.
One nice perk about this little device is the ability to work with multiple PCs, and it will work seamlessly, by simply plugging it into any number of Windows 10 PCs. Once the registration is complete, the user won’t be required to go through the registration process again.