January 15, 2008 Biometric security specialist UPEK has launched a software solution allowing Mac users to connect to its Eikon Digital Privacy Manager USB fingerprint reader. Announced at Macworld in San Francisco this week, the UPEK Protector Suite® for Mac software supports Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and OS X 10.5 Leopard.

Enhancing security as well as by-passing the hassle of dealing with an ever growing list of passwords, the Eikon USB fingerprint reader both protects the contents of the computer at several levels and provides a simple, more secure way to access password-protected websites.

The Eikon Digital Privacy Manager began shipping in May 2007 and is available for USD$50. The system also supports Windows XP and Vista operating systems and existing owners who want to use the device on a Mac can download the software via the UPEK site. Protector Suite for Mac is scheduled to be available in Japanese, French, German and Spanish in the first half of 2008.