How secured is fingerprint lock on wallet?

[Wincob]

If I use a fingerprint lock on my crypto wallet will this add more security to my wallet and recovery seed or just security over avoiding someone to see my wallet balance via operating my phone?

[GeorgeJohn]

If I use a fingerprint lock on my crypto wallet will this add more security to my wallet and recovery seed or just security over avoiding someone to see my wallet balance via operating my phone?

The highest security of wallet, is not exposing yourself seed phrase, because seed phrase is the only factor that makes your coin your wallet to be authentic, so emphasising about having fingers print, will you generate your means of inputting such column of finger print, the essence of having your seed phrase in private; is to secure your coin because if it's review to everyone, someone can penetrate to your wallet using another device.

[Rikafip]

If I use a fingerprint lock on my crypto wallet will this add more security to my wallet and recovery seed or just security over avoiding someone to see my wallet balance via operating my phone?

If you use it on top of the pin and password, then yes it will add one extra layer of security, but I wouldn't use it as a primary source of protection. I know it's more convenient and faster way to unlock the wallet or phone but the old school ways of protection (if you make a proper password which again is something that many fail) still beats the biometrics.

Beside using proper password, the best way to protect your crypto is by not having your mobile phone wallet as your main one where you keep majority or all of your crypto. It makes more sense to only use it as hot wallet and keeping there only the amounts you plan to spend in the next few days/weeks.

[Charles-Tim]

If I use a fingerprint lock on my crypto wallet will this add more security to my wallet and recovery seed or just security over avoiding someone to see my wallet balance via operating my phone?

Using a fingerprint lock did not add extra security to your seed phrase or wallet, but it reduces the security and safety of your mobile device and wallet. Example is when you are sleeping, only your finger is needed to unlock your mobile device if you enable fingerprint lock, this will be able to bypass the password or pin, someone can use this opportunity to compromise your device and wallet when you are sleeping. In case of many other attacks, only your finger print would be needed to unlock your device.

With this, I will advice you to just use only password or pin which protect your mobile device than finger print because once a finger print is enabled, your password or pin can be bypassed in most cases. Fingerprint is easy to use but does not add to security and reduce the security of your device.

[joker_josue]

But did you want to add that layer of security, on your mobile wallet or on a computer?

Several mobile wallets already have this function, together with the password and the pin. So I think it's useful to use.

On a computer, it is always advisable to have a pin or password. Fingerprint can be considered an extra, but never the main form of protection. Because in case of failure, you no longer have access to the contents of the wallet.

[Charles-Tim]

But did you want to add that layer of security, on your mobile wallet or on a computer?

He meant on mobile device. Even if finger print feature is on computer, it is not an extra layer of protection in most cases if it can bypass the pin and password. I will only advice using password or pin.

On a computer, it is always advisable to have a pin or password. Fingerprint can be considered an extra, but never the main form of protection. Because in case of failure, you no longer have access to the contents of the wallet.

There is no extra protection finger print can offer once password or pin has been used, fingerprint is just an easy and convenient means mobile devices itself or apps can easily be accessed. The best security amount those are passwords and pin.

[NeuroticFish]

If I use a fingerprint lock on my crypto wallet will this add more security to my wallet and recovery seed or just security over avoiding someone to see my wallet balance via operating my phone?

I don't know of actual wallets that would use fingerprint for encrypting the seed/wallet.
Block's hardware wallet may do something like that, but it's not a safe approach imho.

So I expect that the expected use case of your question is "security over avoiding someone to see my wallet balance via operating my phone".
But it's not actual security. Your fingerprint is always with you and one can wait until you sleep, or get you high on drugs, copy your fingerprint from objects you used, or simply cut your finger as an extreme case.
All in all, fingerprint is not security at all; it gives you a false sense of security.

(Also keep in mind that malware can still steal your wallet and since it's not encrypted, the hacker can get your coins.)

[o_e_l_e_o]

If you use it on top of the pin and password, then yes it will add one extra layer of security, but I wouldn't use it as a primary source of protection.

Very few wallets or devices can be set up to require both a password and a fingerprint, though. In almost all cases, if you enable fingerprint biometrics then you can use that instead of your password to unlock the device or wallet. This doesn't add any additional security, and in fact greatly reduces your security, since it is significantly easier to fool a fingerprint scanner than it is to brute force a password.

Example is when you are sleeping, only your finger is needed to unlock your mobile device if you enable fingerprint lock, this will be able to bypass the password or pin, someone can use this opportunity to compromise your device and wallet when you are sleeping.

If you use fingerprints, someone doesn't even need access to you. They can lift your fingerprint from anything you touch, including the very device itself, and use that to unlock your device/wallet. If you are using fingerprint biometrics and your phone is lost or stolen, then you should assume that an attacker will gain access.

[pakhitheboss]

I would never do that.
Fingerprint or biometric authentication are flawed. It is better to use password or pin based locks. Also avoid mobile wallet for hodling. Use it only for trading purpose or for transactions. I personally use password and 2FA for my mobile wallet.

[ABCbits]

As replacement of password/PIN? It would weaken security of your wallet/seed.
As additional lock option (such as from PIN to fingerprint and PIN)? It would increase the security, although the benefit is rather small when the attacker have physical access to your phone and your finger (e.g. when you sleep or drunk).

Personally i wouldn't bother use fingerprint to secure my device.

[dkbit98]

If I use a fingerprint lock on my crypto wallet will this add more security to my wallet and recovery seed or just security over avoiding someone to see my wallet balance via operating my phone?

I don't like using fingerprint for anything and I don't consider it a good option for improving security for several reasons.
It's easy to steal and clone fingerprint of anyone and you don't need to have any special equipment for that, simple silicone material can do the trick, and someone cam always cut off your finger.
You are touching stuff with your fingers and you are leaving fingerprints everywhere all the time, so I would rather use some good password or pattern instead.
For securing seed words best way is using multsig setup, or simple solution is adding multiple passphrases for improving security.

[aysg76]

If I use a fingerprint lock on my crypto wallet will this add more security to my wallet and recovery seed or just security over avoiding someone to see my wallet balance via operating my phone?

As members have given out their suggestions to you regarding this biometric protection of your wallets I would also recommend you to avoid using fingerprint sensor to unlock your crypto wallets due to some reasons.

This sounds good and can add layer of protection with pattern or pin combination in case of fingerprint not working and it's designed in this manner but there are some technical faults in the software sometimes which would not able to detect the finger prints.

There was similar topic that i made about block also planning to implement this fingerprint sensor instead of having the traditional way of seed phrases but you could see it reduces security in many ways mentioned in this thread.You become exposed and your wallet is at danger because only one touch of your thumb could unlock it while seed phrase is not easy to remember and you don't carry hardware wallets all the time.

So be smart and avoid using them because some things if kept in traditional manner are more useful and secured rather than experimenting the technology aspects in them.

[Luzin]

So be smart and avoid using them because some things if kept in traditional manner are more useful and secured rather than experimenting the technology aspects in them.

I think all security access has weaknesses including Pins, Password and Fingerprints, etc. But if there is a 3 layer security feature then I think it's pretty good, although we're a little bothered to open it. Learning from the many cases of loosing their assets, in fact it comes from our mistakes that we do not know and are aware of. So in the end you have to prevent others from knowing pins, passwords and getting copies of your fingerprints then everything will be safe. IMO

[Chikito]

I would never do that.
Fingerprint or biometric authentication are flawed.

it's no problem if he wants to use it to lock/unlock fast. a fingerprint is authentic and unique, nothing is the same for each human, so hard to abuse (except in the movie) and with a fingerprint, he also doesn't need to enter a PIN every time which is very risky from spyware. Maybe the fingerprint technology is still new, so there are many shortcomings such as the sensor does not recognize it. But as far I know, when a fingerprint doesn't work, the phone will ask for a PIN Number.

[Despairo]

I don't understand what does "someone" you referred to? your friend or hacker?

If you have a lot coins on your wallet, better to bought another cellphone that used for holding your coins or even a hardware wallet. This will prevent from your friends know how much you have on your cellphone. if you mean hacker, you also need another cellphone and install 2FA on separate cellphone. If you installed 2FA on the same cellphone you hold your coins, that's not 2FA work.

[Rruchi man]

If I use a fingerprint lock on my crypto wallet will this add more security to my wallet and recovery seed or just security over avoiding someone to see my wallet balance via operating my phone?

Just know that most technology available on mobile phones are made user friendly and can most probably be bypassed easily with higher tech or skills. IMO, fingerprint lock is mostly to prevent over curious people from seeing your balance in your crypto wallet when they are with your phone. It can only prevent people with little or no technical knowledge and skill, but will be a walkover most likely for people higher up the tech ladder.

Have you also considered the possibility of a mobile malfunction, and your mobile phone fingerprint lock accepts any fingerprint as the correct one. There are so many sceneries and possibilities to tell you that firstly storing all your coins on your mobile wallet is not safe, and fingerprint lock cannot be completely trusted to offer security to your coins.

[Chikito]

If I use a fingerprint lock on my crypto wallet will this add more security to my wallet and recovery seed or just security over avoiding someone to see my wallet balance via operating my phone?

Just know that most technology available on mobile phones are made user friendly and can most probably be bypassed easily with higher tech or skills. IMO, fingerprint lock is mostly to prevent over curious people from seeing your balance in your crypto wallet when they are with your phone. It can only prevent people with little or no technical knowledge and skill, but will be a walkover most likely for people higher up the tech ladder.

Have you also considered the possibility of a mobile malfunction, and your mobile phone fingerprint lock accepts any fingerprint as the correct one. There are so many sceneries and possibilities to tell you that firstly storing all your coins on your mobile wallet is not safe, and fingerprint lock cannot be completely trusted to offer security to your coins.

I don't know why too many people didn't believe the fingerprint technology, it has been widely applied in all aspects and security, If that technology has not safe, no one is developing it anymore. it's the same as a PIN or Password, it also depends on how much care you protect. Same as blockchain Technology many people say that technology is not safe (a long time ago) because don't have central control, but after GFC 2008, all eyes were on decentralization tech.

[taufik123]

I don't know why too many people didn't believe the fingerprint technology, it has been widely applied in all aspects and security, If that technology has not safe, no one is developing it anymore. it's the same as a PIN or Password, it also depends on how much care you protect. Same as blockchain Technology many people say that technology is not safe (a long time ago) because don't have central control, but after GFC 2008, all eyes were on decentralization tech.

Those who don't like the security of fingerprint technology may think that the devices used such as fingerprint sensors will be damaged and cannot read our fingerprints. Whereas fingerprint security is also supported by several other security such as PIN.

In crypto wallets, the fingerprint function is only to provide speed for transactions carried out without having to manually use a PIN. and for security remains on the private key wallet storage. It is even safer to use a hardware wallet, because mobile wallets are more susceptible to viruses even though they use fingerprints. Hardware wallet that applies Fingerprint Biometric technology that I know is D'CENT

https://dcentwallet.com/

[S3300]

Fingerprint lock and pin codes are good to use on mobile phones and app locking but that's it, if your private key somehow gets compromised fingerprint or pin lock won't save your assets from getting moved out.

[joker_josue]

I don't know why too many people didn't believe the fingerprint technology, it has been widely applied in all aspects and security, If that technology has not safe, no one is developing it anymore. it's the same as a PIN or Password, it also depends on how much care you protect.

That's right!

The problem is not using the fingerprint as a security element, but the behavior of the device. Fingerprint is as insecure as PIN, password and even 2FA. If the person has an irresponsible attitude, by leaving the device unattended, accessing dubious websites, opening file of unknown origin, installing applications with viruses, among other things, no matter what type of security you use on the device will be in danger.

In other words, the problem is not in the technology that is used, but in the way it is used. A lot of people are pretty careless about these things and then they have problems.