What will be the future of User-Authentification?

From: Arno Oesterheld (oesterheld_at_gmx.de)
Date: 03/31/05 

Date: 31 Mar 2005 00:02:15 -0800

Hi all,

I am very intersted about the (near) future of User-Authentification
and I heard several things that I can not put together. So I hope you
can help me.

I heard that within the next few years most Computers will have a
fingerprint-scanner because they will get quite cheap. But on the
other side I read about big drawbacks of biometrics systems when they
are widely used for "everything" because you give every instance you
trust a "copy" of your fingerprint.
Then I read, that SmartCards have a bright future - espacially for
online-banking.
Will there be a Standard in 3 or 5 years that 90% of all PC Users use?
What will it be? And why?

Thank you for any ideas or point of views!

Best Regards

Arno Oesterheld