Digital Trends

APC Biometric Password Manager

April 21st, 2004 | by Jeff Fila

Everything the software controls can be accessed by double clicking or right-clicking the system-tray icon. The software allows you to setup new users or edit or remove existing users. You also can adjust settings such as the audible alerts and startup options. The Password Vault allows you to view your username and password list for all entries in the database. Access to most of these options are fingerprint based as well. Switching or logging out OmniPass users can be accomplished by right-clicking the system-tray icon and selecting the appropriate action.

A red fingerprint means an unrecognized scan. The print turns green when recognized.

Accessing Password Protected Information

With the software and hardware installed, adding passwords to the user database and accessing password protected information is quite simple. When the OmniPass software detects a password field, it prompts the user, asking if you'd like to enter that username and password into your database. By simply typing the username and password and then clicking the OmniPass key icon that is displayed, the information is entered into the database.

From that point on, that Website or application can be accessed by that user scanning their fingerprint when prompted. A small box signifying the fingerprint scanner appears on your screen and when you put a finger on the scanner, it will show you a graphical representation of your print. Make a bad scan and the print will show red, make a good scan and the print will appear green and you will be granted access. In our experience, the scanner worked flawlessly. The only bad scans we got were when our finger wasn't properly placed over the scanner or if we purposely used a different finger.

At first, entering in your username and password to all of the sites and applications you want, and even remembering which sites to go to, can be a tedious process. But the great part about it is that after you do it once, you'll never have to type that information in again.