Could your plane be hacked?

By Bruce Schneier

Updated 1358 GMT (2158 HKT) April 16, 2015

The rise of social media and mobile devices mean businesses are more vulnerable to hacking. In a bid to keep information secure, a new wave of body-centric devices are replacing passwords. The Nymi, pictured, authenticates identity by measuring your heartbeat.
Photos: How your body will be your password
Use your pulse as your password? – The rise of social media and mobile devices mean businesses are more vulnerable to hacking. In a bid to keep information secure, a new wave of body-centric devices are replacing passwords. The Nymi, pictured, authenticates identity by measuring your heartbeat.
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Created by biomentrics technology company Bionym, The Nymi has a built-in sensor that detects the unique electrical pulse produced by your heartbeat. "By using this type of technology, we can establish a very high level of trust because it's so closely tied to the body," says Kevin Martin, CEO and founder of Bionym.
Photos: How your body will be your password
The Nymi – Created by biomentrics technology company Bionym, The Nymi has a built-in sensor that detects the unique electrical pulse produced by your heartbeat. "By using this type of technology, we can establish a very high level of trust because it's so closely tied to the body," says Kevin Martin, CEO and founder of Bionym.
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Unveiled in 2014 by eyeLock -- an iris-based identity technology company -- Myris is a palm-size device that scans the unique features of your eye.
Photos: How your body will be your password
Myris – Unveiled in 2014 by eyeLock -- an iris-based identity technology company -- Myris is a palm-size device that scans the unique features of your eye.
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Fitted with a small mirror and camera, the Myris is able to scan the unique colors and vein patterns in your iris. Storing this information within its hardware, the Myris is able to identify its user accurately. EyeLock even claims that the device cannot be fooled by a video or photograph of your eye.
Photos: How your body will be your password
Myris – Fitted with a small mirror and camera, the Myris is able to scan the unique colors and vein patterns in your iris. Storing this information within its hardware, the Myris is able to identify its user accurately. EyeLock even claims that the device cannot be fooled by a video or photograph of your eye.
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Using palm vein recognition, Quixter identifies users by scanning vein patterns with an infrared light. Quixter only works when blood is flowing through the veins, so there's no need to worry about someone cutting your hand off.
Photos: How your body will be your password
Quixter – Using palm vein recognition, Quixter identifies users by scanning vein patterns with an infrared light. Quixter only works when blood is flowing through the veins, so there's no need to worry about someone cutting your hand off.
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An identity and access management platform for the "post-password era," LaunchKey is part of a wave of mobile-based authentication apps that do away with passwords -- most of which are tied to personal information.
Photos: How your body will be your password
LaunchKey – An identity and access management platform for the "post-password era," LaunchKey is part of a wave of mobile-based authentication apps that do away with passwords -- most of which are tied to personal information.
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The launchKey app allows for password-free login capabilities on your mobile phone, allowing users to access websites and applications by simply swiping the mobile phone interface. Security is provided by the simple fact that the mobile phone is in your possession -- a key deterrent for hackers.
Photos: How your body will be your password
LaunchKey – The launchKey app allows for password-free login capabilities on your mobile phone, allowing users to access websites and applications by simply swiping the mobile phone interface. Security is provided by the simple fact that the mobile phone is in your possession -- a key deterrent for hackers.
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In light of these more secure developments, it looks as though fingerprint identification will be a thing of the past. Seeing as our fingerprints are left on a variety of surfaces on a day-to-day basis, iris scanners and heartbeat monitors could be a promising alternative.
Photos: How your body will be your password
Adios to fingerprints? – In light of these more secure developments, it looks as though fingerprint identification will be a thing of the past. Seeing as our fingerprints are left on a variety of surfaces on a day-to-day basis, iris scanners and heartbeat monitors could be a promising alternative.
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While identity authentication is becoming more secure, many companies are looking to streamline transactions. Barclaycard's bPay wristband does away with PIN numbers and credit cards, allowing wearers to make contactless payments for items under £20 ($30).