 TITLE: How Can Biometrics Protect Your Identity? CONTENT: The Risks of Biometrics\n-----------------------\nThough biometric technology is meant to provide increased security, there are still a few things to be aware of. Here are some of the main risks to look out for when using biometric verification:\n*   **It's not foolproof.** A fraudster could theoretically obtain a copy of your fingerprints or a high resolution picture of you and use it to fool a biometric device. This would be difficult to do, but is still a possibility.\n*   **It requires high security standards.** While biometric technology might keep your information _within_ an account more secure (think of the data on your phone or computer) the storage of the biometric data itself needs to be secure too. Since biometric information is unique and can't be changed, it's important that the companies storing this data employ extra security to make sure it's protected. A hacker obtaining your fingerprint data can have deeper implications over a password you can easily change.\n*   **There can be legal limitations.** Finally, firms that use biometric technology for employee tracking—like those that have biometric attendance time clocks—need to be aware that certain states have legal guidance for how biometric data can be collected. Illinois, through the Biometric Information  Act, was one of the first states to enact comprehensive regulation of biometric information, and requires that companies obtain written consent before collecting biometric data and clearly disclose how they plan to use the data collected. END