3M Cogent has introduced BioTrust, a biometric logon replacement software for Windows computer programs from Microsoft. The software uses facial and/or fingerprint recognition to logon to a PC and websites, replacing the traditional username and passwords that can be stolen or forgotten.

After more than one year of successful use as a plug-in application for Hewlett-Packard professional laptops, BioTrust is now available as a standalone version that can be installed on laptop or desktop computers running Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 and uses Internet Explorer 7, or higher. It is available in over 30 languages to enhance convenience. Leveraging over 20 years of research and development in biometric identification, 3M Cogent’s facial recognition technology is adaptive to various environmental lighting conditions – such as side lighting, backlit areas and low ambient lighting.

The software console allows users to customize security level settings, enroll facial images, and manage Web Single-Sign-On (SSO) subscriptions. The software’s Password Manager functions as an automatic Web SSO for website logons. For example, if a user navigates to a secured Web site—such as Web mail, a social networking site or an online banking site – after entering their login details, the software will ask the user if they want to use biometric identification for future logins. [www.cogentsystems.com]