Skip to content

Commit

Permalink
add windows hello disclaimer
Browse files Browse the repository at this point in the history
  • Loading branch information
friadev authored Jul 29, 2024
1 parent 0462e52 commit b479f30
Showing 1 changed file with 5 additions and 1 deletion.
6 changes: 5 additions & 1 deletion docs/basics/hardware.md
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -64,7 +64,9 @@ Many devices come equipped with a fingerprint reader or face recognition capabil

Biometrics can prevent someone from watching you type in your password, so if shoulder-surfing is part of your threat model then biometrics are a good option.

Most implementations of face authentication require you to be looking at your phone and also only work from a relatively close distance, so you don't need to worry too much about someone pointing your phone at your face to unlock it without your consent. You can still disable biometrics when your phone is locked if you want. On iOS, you can hold the side button and a volume button for 3 seconds to disable Face ID on models that support it. On Android, hold the power button and press Lockdown on the menu.
Most implementations of face authentication require you to be looking at your phone and also only work from a relatively close distance, so you don't need to worry too much about someone pointing your device at your face to unlock it without your consent.

On iOS and Android, you can still disable biometrics when your phone is locked if you want. On iOS, you can hold the side button and a volume button for 3 seconds to disable Face ID on models that support it. On Android, hold the power button and press Lockdown on the menu.

<div class="admonition warning" markdown>
<p class="admonition-title">Warning</p>
Expand All @@ -75,6 +77,8 @@ Some devices do not have the proper hardware for secure face authentication. The

Android defines three [security classes](https://source.android.com/docs/security/features/biometric/measure#biometric-classes) for biometrics; you should check that your device is Class 3 before enabling biometrics.

Windows Hello compatible biometrics use the [less secure unlock solution](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-protection/hello-for-business/) with no 3D map of your face. They also have issues sometimes with vendors not [implementing the biometrics securely](https://nondeterministic.computer/@mjg59/111456696748600420).

### Device Encryption

If your device is [encrypted](../encryption.md), your data is most secure when your device is completely powered off (as opposed to merely asleep), i.e. before you've entered your encryption key or lock screen password for the first time. On phones, this state of higher security is referred to as "Before First Unlock" (BFU), and "After First Unlock" (AFU) once you enter the correct password after a reboot/power-on. AFU is considerably less secure against digital forensics toolkits and other exploits, compared to BFU. Therefore, if you are concerned about an attacker with physical access to your device, you should turn it off fully whenever you aren't using it.
Expand Down

0 comments on commit b479f30

Please sign in to comment.