What Is Behavioral Biometrics & How Does It Work Against Fraud

As digital interactions in financial services grow, identifying who is behind the screen has never been more critical. Behavioral biometrics keeps online transactions trustworthy by analyzing user behavior, biometric data, and device intelligence to build a digital profile of their patterns. Analysts project that the behavioral biometrics solutions market will reach $13 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 23.8% from 2023.

This article explores how behavioral biometrics helps banks detect and prevent fraud. Learn how this technology reduces false positives, enhances user experiences, and fosters trust between customers and their banks.

What is Behavioral Biometrics, and How Does It Work?

Behavioral biometrics uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to turn human behaviors into biometric data. Behavioral biometrics differs from physical biometrics like fingerprints, retinal scans, or vein patterns. It looks at dynamic actions, such as:

• Typing patterns: How a person types, including speed and rhythm
• Mouse movements: The way users move and click
• Swipe gestures: Pressure, direction, and speed on touchscreens

By analyzing these behaviors, the technology creates a unique profile for each user. This ongoing authentication helps the system spot fraud. Even if attackers get past passwords or PINs, it can still identify suspicious behavior. 

Why It Matters

Traditional authentication methods, such as OTPs, are vulnerable to compromise. Behavioral biometric authentication offers a continuous layer of security, making it easier to identify suspicious activity. 

6 Types of Behavioral Biometrics 

Behavioral biometrics works seamlessly in the background, authenticating users based on their unique patterns. Here are the six key types:

1.Typing Patterns and Keystroke Monitoring

Establishes a baseline for typing speed, rhythm, and pressure. Sudden changes can trigger fraud alerts and flag suspicious user behavior.

2. Mouse Movements and Navigation

Tracks speed, pace, and click patterns. Unusual activity or navigation patterns signal potential fraudulent activity.

3. Touchscreen Interactions

Reviews gestures, pressure, and swipes for consistency with user behavior. 

4. Device Recognition

Identifies known devices to flag unusual logins or unauthorized access. 

5. Location and IP Address Analysis

Detects logins from unexpected locations or suspicious IPs.

6. Behavioral Analytics

Builds a comprehensive user behavior profile, including transaction history and login times, to identify anomalies. 

How Behavioral Biometrics Enhances Fraud Prevention

Financial services organizations, including banks, financial institutions, credit unions, and more need secure authentication methods to protect customers. At the same time, these security measures must let users quickly access to their accounts. They should be able to conduct their business without any interruptions. 

In other words, banks and financial institutions must keep their authentication measures from adding friction to the customer experience. Behavioral biometrics technology allows banks to deliver a seamless user experience while enhancing fraud prevention efforts.

Beyond improving fraud detection and embracing continuous monitoring of online behavior, implementing behavioral biometrics can give banks several tangible benefits, including:

• Continuous Authentication

Unlike traditional methods that validate users only at login, behavioral biometrics provides ongoing monitoring throughout a session. This continuous analysis prevents account takeover fraud and makes it easier to detect unauthorized activities, adding a dynamic layer of security. 

• Adaptive Risk-Based Review

Behavioral biometrics adjusts to different risk levels by analyzing user behavior in real time. For instance, unusual patterns during a high-value money transfer can trigger additional security measures, ensuring protection without adding unnecessary friction for legitimate users.

• Enhanced Loss Mitigation

Banks can significantly reduce financial fraud losses by taking proactive measures with behavioral biometrics. These include blocking suspicious transactions, freezing accounts, or requesting additional verification. These actions protect both customer assets and the bank’s financial health, minimizing the overall impact of fraud.

• Identifying and Stopping Money Mule Accounts

Behavioral biometrics excels at identifying accounts used for money laundering. This technology can detect anomalies that signal mule accounts by understanding typical customer behavior protecting customers, financial institutions, and the broader economy.

• Reducing False Positives

By analyzing subtle cues, behavioral biometrics reduces false positives, ensuring legitimate users aren’t inconvenienced.

• Detecting Emerging Threats

From bots to Remote Access Trojans (RATs), behavioral biometrics detect sophisticated fraud techniques before they cause damage.

Ensuring Data Privacy Protection

Behavioral biometrics is a potent tool for preventing fraud. However, using it means we must protect user data carefully. By adopting best practices, financial institutions can leverage the technology effectively while respecting customer privacy.

Key Principals for Data Privacy Protection

• Minimal Data Collection: Collect only the data necessary for fraud prevention. Avoid over-collection, which increases the risk of breaches and erodes user trust.
• Robust Encryption: Implement strong encryption protocols to secure sensitive data, adding an essential layer of defense against potential cyberattacks.
• Single-Purpose Use: Limit the use of behavioral biometric data exclusively to fraud prevention. Expanding its use into areas like marketing risks violating privacy expectations and regulations.
• Explicit Consent: Obtain clear, informed consent from customers before collecting and using their behavioral biometric data, ensuring transparency and autonomy.
• Transparency: Clearly communicate with customers how you collect, store, and use their data to foster trust and confidence.

Addressing Privacy Risks

Behavioral biometric data is highly sensitive, offering deep insights into user habits and preferences. Someone could misuse this data for profiling or targeted marketing without proper safeguards. They could also compromise it in a data breach.

By using these practices, financial institutions can fully benefit from authentication. They can also maintain ethical standards and customer trust.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Behavioral Biometrics

Behavioral biometrics is revolutionizing fraud prevention. In markets like Malaysia, regulators already recommend shifting from traditional OTPs to behavioral authentication. This technology will be key to real-time payment security and fraud detection as digital interactions grow.

By focusing on ethical implementation and data privacy, behavioral biometrics will continue to enhance user trust while protecting financial systems.

• Friction-Free User Experiences. Banks can provide a seamless user experience, enhancing customer satisfaction and trust. Customers no longer have to remember convoluted passwords or provide additional information, minimizing friction and improving convenience.
• Improved Customer Trust. Trust is the foundation of a bank’s relationship with its customers. Behavioral biometrics offer customers a seamless and non-intrusive security process. Strengthening security with features like account protection creates a sense of security for customers, increasing their satisfaction.

Additional Resources for Behavioral Biometrics for Fraud Prevention and Detection

Here are additional resources for behavioral biometrics in fraud prevention and detection:

• • Article: How Behavioral Biometrics Secures Real-Time Payments
  • Resource: Datos Insights Matrix: Behavioral Biometrics and Device Fingerprinting Solutions
  • Analyst Report: Feedzai Named a Behavioral Biometrics Technology Leader
  • Solution Guide: What Is Behavioral Biometric Analysis?
  • Solution: Feedzai’s Account Takeover Protection Solution