Galaxy S5 fingerprint scanner hacked

It's official. Researchers have once again proven that fingerprint scanners on your phone is nothing but just another software with security features that can be – although not so easily – bypassed.

Samsung has become the latest victim of its newly introduced security feature being thrown into the wind

Researchers at Germany’s SRLabs managed to get into the system using a lifted print and even get access to the payment mechanism and complete a PayPal transaction. They have even posted a video on YouTube demonstrating the hack.

Apple first introduced the finger print scanner into the iPhone 5s last year. Samsung too took the biometric route and introduced the finger print scanner into its latest flagship model and placed the sensor in front on the home screen.

While you can get into an iPhone 5s by simply authenticating your finger by placing it on the home button, you need to swipe your finger from top to bottom on a Samsung Galaxy S5.

Moreover Apple has also introduced an additional layer of password protection to authorise payments, while on a Samsung device you can activate a payment with single level security clearance.

According to SRLabs although fingerprint sensors have sought to replace password- and PIN-based authentication for years, the existing sensors continue to fail their marketing claim of secure device unlocking.

“Our video demonstrates how flaws in the implementation of fingerprint authentication in the Samsung Galaxy S5 expose users' devices, data, and even bank accounts to thieves or other attackers,” it said.

Last year it was another German company Chaos Computer Club (CCC) that hacked into the finger print scanner on the iOS device within two days after Apple rolled out the product. The hacking team at CCC successfully bypassed the biometric security of Apple's TouchID using easy everyday means – by photographing a fingerprint of the phone user from a glass surface.

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