Among the features in Microsofts new Windows 10 operating system is a security feature called Windows Hello which aims to replace passwords with biometric data that will be harder for hackers to crack.

The solution, which is a subset of Microsofts Passport biometric project, uses facial recognition technology to recognise the authorised user and log them into the system, preventing anyone else from accessing data.

The Australian decided to put the system to the test by using a group of twins to see how secure the system remained when confronted with virtually identical users. It contacted the Australian Twin Registry, a database of 40,000 twins willing to take part in health studies, and found six sets of identical twins of various ages, genders and ethnicities who were willing to take part in the test.

The facial recognition solution requires a RealSense camera from Intel, which takes standard, 3D and infrared images and then combines them into a single image which combines depth, heat and features to match users to their profile.

With each set of twins, one set up an account then the other attempted to log in, and in every case the software was able to distinguish between the two, suggesting that Windows Hello can prevent even extremely similar-looking individuals from accessing private data.