iPhone 6 Touch ID Susceptible to Fake Fingerprint Hack -- Security Today

iPhone 6 Touch ID Susceptible to Fake Fingerprint Hack

By Ginger Hill
Sep 24, 2014

Rumor has it that Apple still has some refining to do with their Touch ID technology that is being used in their latest, iPhone 6. According to security researcher Marc Rogers of Lookout Security, the latest iPhone models are still vulnerable to hacking using the same fake fingerprint technique as used with the iPhone 5s. iPhone 6 Touch ID Susceptible to Fake Fingerprint Hack

The hacking technique works like this: A hacker lifts a fingerprint from a solid surface and creates a copy of the fingerprint using forensic techniques. These replica fingerprints can activate Touch ID sensors on both models of Apple smartphones: iPhone 6 and iPhone 5s.

While this can obviously cause major security breaches, lifting fingerprints requires a high-skilled individual who is not only familiar with forensics but has the skill and patience to accurately copy the fingerprint.

Rogers also noted that the iPhone 6’s fingerprint sensor is a bit more sensitive than its predecessor, which could enable it to support a higher resolution scan. Sure, this improved scanner may make it more difficult for an unskilled hacker, but no additional security measures are offered, like a time-based password requirement.

Apple has opened iPhone 6 to mobile payments with Apple Pay, Apple’s new mobile payment initiative that uses NFC to process payments wirelessly with a one-time token and Touch ID authorization for “security;” however, savvy hackers may be able to gain access to iPhone user’s credit card information.

Image by: Hadrian / Shutterstock.com

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

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