Methods and apparatuses for authenticating a biometric scanner, such as swipe type finger print scanners, involves estimating unique intrinsic characteristics of the scanner, that are permanent over time, and can identify a scanner even among scanners of the same manufacturer and model. The taste masked particles comprise a core containing an active ingredient and a polymeric coating covering said core, said coating comprising a mixture of a) an enteric polymer; and b) an insoluble film forming polymer, the surface of said particle being free of active ingredient. An image file is prepared from the command file, to be loaded on the target.