Your brain waves could be your passwords in future, but only if you are not drunk

Scientists are working on a new method of authentication. It involves brainwave authentication using EEG (Electroencephalogram) Technology to unlock accounts in place of regular passwords.The new method of authentication is unique is harder to hack. Nowadays every one of us owns multiple numbers of accounts. Remembering the passwords for all the accounts is a monumental task. All the passwords would involve a combination of letters, symbols and words that further complicates the situation. Many a time we end up resetting the passwords. Also, there is always a constant threat from hackers, so in order to prevent our accounts from getting comprised this new method may be helpful.

How it works?

• Basically, the idea here is to confirm the identity of the user by EEG readings.
• The computer would display a series of words and measure the response of the user using an EEG headset that is worn by the user.
• The new method of authentication was more complex than standard passwords and also gave 94% accurate results.

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Although the method seems fine, there are some strange factors that decrease the accuracy of authentication. Brain waves are affected by a variety of factors such as alcohol, Caffeine, and exercise which make it difficult to authenticate. The authentication accuracy drops from 94 percent to a staggering 33 percent when you consume alcohol or on getting drunk. So more research has to be done to overcome the stumbling factors as it may involve collecting multiple brainwave templates during different conditions by separately mapping their ECG signatures during those conditions (drunk, exercise etc..)

Apart from authentication scientists are also checking the possibility of communication with a paralyzed person using brain waves.

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