Boosting Security of Voice-Based Log-Ins with Wearables

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a wearable that could eliminate vulnerabilities in voice authentication and therefore boost the security of voice-based log-ins.
Today, when talking to electronics has become perfectly normal and even essential in the Internet of Things world, it’s more important than ever to stay safe. Through our spoken interactions we send texts, place calls, check our emails, control our appliances and even access our bank accounts. If someone managed to exploit our voice (impersonators and hackers), it’s clear we’d be in serious trouble.
And as Kang Shin, the Kevin and Nancy O’Connor Professor of Computer Science and professor of electrical engineering and computer science at U-M explain, although voice is being increasingly used as a security feature, it has huge holes. “If a system is using only your voice signature, it can be very dangerous. We believe you have to have a second channel to authenticate the owner of the voice.”
To boost the security, Shin and colleagues have developed a wearable device called VAuth. This technology can be worn as a necklace, as earbuds or as a small attachment to eye-glasses. VAuth registers speech-induced vibrations on the wearer’s body and pairs them with the sound of that person’s voice. This way, VAuth creates a completely unique and therefore secure signature.

Source:
University of Michigan via ScienceDaily (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171017124400.htm)