[Herr Brackhaus]

What does the Biometric Reader electronics accessory actually do? The descriptions states that it can be used to "lock your electronics so only you (or one of your body parts) can unlock it".

Would this have any impact against a hacker? If no, then the only thing it really does is prevent non-deckers from accessing your device.

Will this device work with files present on a device? If no, then it seems like it really only "protects" the device when the device is powered on.

Thoughts? If it does protect a device when it is powered on, how would you allow a PC to bypass it? Similar to the locking mechanism described in the Security in the Sixth World seciont of the Gamemaster Advice section on page 360?

[8-bit]

What does the Biometric Reader electronics accessory actually do? The descriptions states that it can be used to "lock your electronics so only you (or one of your body parts) can unlock it".

Would this have any impact against a hacker? If no, then the only thing it really does is prevent non-deckers from accessing your device.

Will this device work with files present on a device? If no, then it seems like it really only "protects" the device when the device is powered on.

Thoughts? If it does protect a device when it is powered on, how would you allow a PC to bypass it? Similar to the locking mechanism described in the Security in the Sixth World seciont of the Gamemaster Advice section on page 360?

I always thought it was like the advanced safety system from Run & Gun. It doesn't work unless the appropriate key is entered.

Bypassing it would be pretty simple, IMO. Universal data connector (or just wireless if the device is connected) and hack some MARKs onto it. Or just get a finger print, or whatever, that is necessary to unlock it.

[Namikaze]

It's not really talked about in this edition, and wasn't really discussed in-depth in 4th edition either.  But many uses of credsticks and ID verification systems use biometrics to make sure that you're the authorized person.  So the biometric reader accessory for your commlink can act as that verification system.  It's also an effective locking mechanism, of course, but when you're meeting up with someone who can't see you but wants your SIN to run a background check (this is a super-paranoid Mr. Johnson) they might ask you to scan a thumb or something.  If you're making an online purchase, you might have to verify your cred with a thumbprint or something as well.

[Csjarrat]

It's not really talked about in this edition, and wasn't really discussed in-depth in 4th edition either.  But many uses of credsticks and ID verification systems use biometrics to make sure that you're the authorized person.  So the biometric reader accessory for your commlink can act as that verification system.  It's also an effective locking mechanism, of course, but when you're meeting up with someone who can't see you but wants your SIN to run a background check (this is a super-paranoid Mr. Johnson) they might ask you to scan a thumb or something.  If you're making an online purchase, you might have to verify your cred with a thumbprint or something as well.

+1

useful as a fluff piece but not necessary as a crunch item just yet

[Poindexter]

It's not really talked about in this edition, and wasn't really discussed in-depth in 4th edition either.  But many uses of credsticks and ID verification systems use biometrics to make sure that you're the authorized person.  So the biometric reader accessory for your commlink can act as that verification system.  It's also an effective locking mechanism, of course, but when you're meeting up with someone who can't see you but wants your SIN to run a background check (this is a super-paranoid Mr. Johnson) they might ask you to scan a thumb or something.  If you're making an online purchase, you might have to verify your cred with a thumbprint or something as well.

+1

useful as a fluff piece but not necessary as a crunch item just yet

It's cool on a car you want a little extra layer of security on, but there has to be other layers as well.