Login to WordPress with Face Recognition

Face recognition, What is it?

Face recognition systems are not new, they’ve been around for years.

It is true that not long ago only government security systems had this type of technology, but it has long been common to find it even in low-end mobile phones.

We use them every day to unlock our mobile phones, they are used in airports to detect fugitives from justice, some countries use them in the streets of their cities for who knows what.

It is used by Apple, Facebook and Google photo applications to recognize faces and make albums, it is more widespread than it may seem at first glance.

It has its dangers in respect of privacy, especially if misused by governments.

And it poses a security threat if not used properly, as it has been shown that mobiles can be accessed with a photo of the owner.

Is it worthwhile?

But the reality is that it is a very interesting technology, which combined with other security methods, will mark the future of personal identification.

Its possible applications are endless…

• Biometric recognition in driver’s licenses, ID cards, passports, immigration, etc.
• Access control in applications, buildings, administrations, etc.
• Police surveillance in airports, police stations … you put the “etc”

Face recognition in WordPress

Now that we’re up to date, let’s take a look at the different plugins that exist for face recognition in WordPress, see what they offer, if they work and how.

Biocriptology Login

This plugin works thanks to Biocryptology technology, a true standard.

To start you have to install the free app of the service in your mobile, which will ask you to create an account, and the review process is very complete:

• From the app they send you an email with a confirmation link.
• Once confirmed, they send you an SMS to your mobile phone with a new verification link.
• This generates a code that you must enter in the configuration of the plugin.

It seems little but its not, it’s a few steps.

And that would be it… right?

No, you still have to set up your profile in your WordPress profile, where you can upload a picture or take a snapshot.

And with that you could access your site with your face by clicking on the login screen on a link to start the face recognition.

Does it works?

I have to say that the process of registration and access is quite tedious, with many steps, and yes, I have managed to access it by showing my face.

But we must also recognize that the system is anything but perfect, it is very difficult to recognize you and with little that there is a reflection in the glasses or a change of relevant light does not recognize you.

A good detail is that if everything fails on the login screen you have a link for the normal login, which is sometimes appreciated.

Face Recognition Login

It’s really simple, once activated the plugin just go to your WordPress profile and capture a photo or upload it.

Then go to their settings page and configure the application to your liking, where you can…

• Offer the option of access by means of a PIN.
• Automatically start face detection.

With this you can go to the login screen and enter your WordPress with your face recognition and password, which is actually how most of these plugins work (not just face recognition, your face actually replaces your name, which is actually fine).

Does it works?

Yes, and the configuration is totally trivial, you upload your photo or capture your face from the same WordPress admin and that’s it.

Then access is easy, and if you have auto-detection enabled, so much the better. You capture your image from the webcam, enter your password and enter your WordPress admin.

And all this without having to register anywhere, so great.

What I didn’t understand is the PIN option, which doesn’t come up anywhere you have to set it, it’s not documented or anything, so don’t activate it.

Face recognition WP

Once the plugin is activated, its settings screen appears, in which you can add a group photo (sic) and a profile photo.

But nothing works, in fact, it always gives error …

Does it works?

Big no, and visiting the project’s website it’s clear why…

face2 Two Factor Authentication

As soon as you install this plugin it adds a settings page where it encourages you to register with face2.in to put your API credentials.

But as soon as you try it gives error.

So you can neither register nor use the plugin, another disappointment.

Does it works?

Clearly not, and there are already 2 plugins out of only 4 on WordPress.org about face recognition that don’t work at all due to abandonment of the project. Don’t you think they should be deleted?

Summary

Of the 4 plugins currently available on WordPress.org for face recognition, only 2 work, which tells us that this is a field to be explored.

Of the 2 plugins I’ve been able to test under normal conditions, the first one, Biocryptology, requires many steps, because not only do you have to register on the web, you also have to install an app, so that later the process is the same as with the other plugin.

Because after trying Face Recognition Login you look like an idiot for having done so many steps with Biocryptology when there was already another plugin that offers the same result with zero effort.

It works, you don’t just enter your face, you have to enter your password, but it’s a step in the right direction of what WordPress has to offer for specialized environments.

Face recognition is a booming technology, and you can really use it to access WordPress despite the few options, I just hope there are more solutions to be able to incorporate this technology in sites of all kinds of institutions, schools, etc., because its possibilities are huge.

Which one would I recommend?

Without a doubt, Face Recognition Login, offers the same as Biocryptology but with zero effort, there is no doubt.

Read this post in Spanish: Reconocimiento facial para acceder a una web WordPress ¿se puede?