7-year-old Hacks Apple Touch -- Security Today

7-year-old Hacks Apple Touch

By Ginger Hill
Dec 03, 2014

As soon as a new model of smartphone hits the market, criminals have already or are figuring out how to hack it. The same holds true for Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint identification system, only this system wasn’t hacked by a notorious cybercriminal or thief. Nope! It was hacked by a 7-year-old boy! And, it was done without knowing any code!

As Matthew Green, a professor who teaches computer security and cryptology at at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), slept soundly, his 7-year-old son, Harrison, snuck into his dad's room, grabbed his dad’s hand and pressed his finger against the Touch ID scanner on his iPhone6. Yep, that was all it took for this youngster to gain access to his dad’s iPhone!

“This is a really serious problem,” said Professor Green. “In a situation where you’re under arrest, biometrics is not very good.”

Of course, little Harrison didn’t want to exploit his dad or compromise any of his critical information. This “hack” was all about playing Minecraft and Angry Birds.

(Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock.com)

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now
- Cybersecurity
ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard
- Guard Services
Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now
- Cybersecurity
Report: Nearly 1 in 5 Healthcare Leaders Say Cyberattacks Have Impacted Patient Care

Omega Systems, a provider of managed IT and security services, today released new research that reveals the growing impact of cybersecurity challenges on leading healthcare organizations and patient safety. According to the 2025 Healthcare IT Landscape Report, 19% of healthcare leaders say a cyberattack has already disrupted patient care, and more than half (52%) believe a fatal cyber-related incident is inevitable within the next five years. Read Now
- Cybersecurity
AI Is Now the Leading Cybersecurity Concern for Security, IT Leaders

Arctic Wolf recently published findings from its State of Cybersecurity: 2025 Trends Report, offering insights from a global survey of more than 1,200 senior IT and cybersecurity decision-makers across 15 countries. Conducted by Sapio Research, the report captures the realities, risks, and readiness strategies shaping the modern security landscape. Read Now
- Cybersecurity

Security Today eNews

Sign up today for essential industry news and product information that can help you stay afloat in the fast-paced world of security.

Email Address*Country*

Please type the letters/numbers you see above.

Webinars

Whitepapers

New Products

HD2055 Modular Barricade

Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.
Mobile Safe Shield

SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.
ResponderLink

Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.