Samsung launched the Samsung Galaxy S5 with a fingerprint scanner that claimed to rival Apple’s scanner. Both the iPhone 5S and Samsung Galaxy S5 come with fingerprint scanners.
The Samsung Galaxy S5 fingerprint scanner was put to test by researchers at Germany’s Security Research Labs. The researchers took a fake fingerprint or a spoof of the original print and were easily able to hack the scanner.
The spoof was made in the laboratory using just a part of the fingerprint. A mould of the fingerprint was created using the smudged print available off the phone. The fake print was then dabbed with wood glue to make it seem more authentic. The new fake fingerprint was then used and it worked fine.
Smartphone makers are experimenting with different techniques to unlock devices and secure sensitive content. While facial recognition and voice recognition techniques are also under consideration.
