One of the most noticeable features introduced in the iPhone 5s is the fingerprint sensor underneath the home button. This caught a lot of peoples’ attention, however, it also brought a lot of attention from the security research world. With this new technology being introduced in the iPhone 5s, hackers all over the world are at it to beat the Touch ID sensor and the security Apple has in place.
According to a new report from Chaos Computer Club (via Engadget), a group named Chaos Computer Club has found a way to get around the iPhone 5s Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The group has also uploaded a video that demonstrates how they get around to tricking the Touch ID sensor with just a few steps. Mind you, these steps aren’t very easy to replicate, however it’s not entirely impossible.
The process to tricking the fingerprint sensor requires a picture be taken at 2400 Dots Per Inch (DPI), and then be printed at 1200 DPI. The image is then used to make a latex sheet, which tricks the fingerprint sensor into letting someone into the phone. As you can see from the video below, the individual demonstrating easily gets into the iPhone with the latex sheet covering his finger.
Here is what Chaos Computer Club says about the fingerprint sensor technology:
“We hope that this finally puts to rest the illusions people have about fingerprint biometrics. It is plain stupid to use something that you can´t change and that you leave everywhere every day as a security token”, said Frank Rieger, spokesperson of the CCC. “The public should no longer be fooled by the biometrics industry with false security claims. Biometrics is fundamentally a technology designed for oppression and control, not for securing everyday device access.” Fingerprint biometrics in passports has been introduced in many countries despite the fact that by this global roll-out no security gain can be shown.
Note how Rieger states that the technology is used for oppression and control, and not for protecting a device. We leave fingerprints everywhere without even thinking about it, such as in the kitchen, the classroom, your computer, and many other places. This new fingerprint sensor technology while is very helpful, but it can also be turned around to cause damage. Apple’s introduction of Touch ID in the iPhone 5s is impressive, and does work well, but it just seems more like a marketing scheme.
What do you think?
