Biometrics is the use of authenticating a user by scanning on of their unique physiological body parts. Just like in the movies, a user places their hand on a finger print scanner or they put their eyes against a retinal scanner. If the image matches whats on the database, it authenticates the user. Since a persons fingerprint, blood vessel print, or retinal image is unique the only way the system can authenticate is if the proper user is there. The only way an unauthorized user to get access is to physically kidnap the authorized user and force them through the system. For this reason, biometrics are the strongest (and the costliest) for of authentication.