"First Real-World Study Shows the Potential of Gait Authentication to Enhance Smartphone Security"
Real-world tests conducted by researchers at the University of Plymouth have shown that gait authentication could be a feasible way to protect smartphones and other mobile devices from cybercrime. The study involved asking smartphone users to go through their daily activities while motion sensors in their mobile devices collected data about their stride patterns. The system had an 85 percent accuracy rate in recognizing an individual's gait, increasing to almost 90 percent when they were walking normally and walking fast. There are currently over 6.3 billion smartphone users globally who use their devices for services and storing confidential information. Although passwords, PINs, and biometrics exist, studies have shown that such authentication measures' level of security and usability vary considerably. According to the researchers, the study demonstrates that gait recognition, within an appropriate framework, could be a viable method for protecting individuals' data from potential cybercrime. This article continues to discuss the potential use of gait authentication to strengthen smartphone security.