Face Not Recognized: When Biometrics and Computer Security Get Personal
- RW Networks
- Jun 19
- 2 min read
Have you ever experienced your phone politely tell you: “Face Not Recognized”?
Same face you’ve had since birth, but one early morning, bedhead and all, your phone acts like you’re a total stranger. Welcome to the wild world of biometrics and computer security, where your devices know you better than you may know yourself.
What Exactly Are Biometrics?
What once seemed like futuristic technology from Tom Cruise spy thrillers – fingerprint mapping, facial recognition, and retina scans, also known as biometric technology - is now a real part of our everyday lives. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, biometric authentication has become a prominent solution for enhancing security across various sectors like banking and healthcare.
In a nutshell, Biometrics refers to technology that uses your body’s unique features to verify your identity. For example:
Facial Recognition
Fingerprint Recognition
Retina scans
Voice recognition
In short, your body is your password.
Biometrics vs. Passwords: Who Wins?
Let’s be real—password123 isn’t fooling anyone. Neither is “ComoxValley2025!” The good news? Biometrics are generally more secure than your standard passwords, and let’s face it, they’re a lot harder to forget.
Pros of Biometrics:
Harder to steal than passwords
No memory required
Fast and convenient – look, swipe, boom—you’re in! A smoother user experience.
Strengthened Cybersecurity
Cons (because nothing’s perfect):
Not flawless – wet fingers, bad lighting, or wearing reading glasses can confuse your devices.
Privacy concerns – your biometric data has to be stored somewhere.
Not universal – some older devices and systems don’t support it yet.
Are Biometrics Safe?
Biometric security is pretty solid, especially when combined with other security measures such as two-factor authentication! But like all things tech, it isn’t bulletproof. At RW Networks, we’ve seen it all, from laptops that refuse to accept a face after a new haircut to fingerprint scanners that give up mid-scan. The key is making sure your system is up to date and your data is backed up and secured.
Bonus Tip: Don't Go Full James Bond Just Yet
Biometric technology is awesome, but don’t ditch your backup passwords completely. Devices can glitch, and you don’t want to be locked out of your phone in the Tim Hortons drive-thru because your sunglasses are “too reflective.”
Need Help Setting It All Up?
Whether you’re in Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland or somewhere in between, RW Networks has your back. We can:
Help you configure biometric security on your devices
Improve your network safety
Recover lost accounts (even if your face "doesn't match")
And ensure your data is locked down tighter than Area 51
Let us deal with the technology headaches, so you can go back to enjoying the view at Goose Spit or trying to remember if it's your left thumb or your right that works best.
Call us for computer repairs, tech support, and good tech advice right here in the Comox Valley. We fix computers, tame networks, and yes—explain why your phone suddenly thinks you’re an imposter.
