Fingerprint scanner is one of the most popular biometric authentication methods in smartphone manufacturers and users. But, according to Talos Security Group (TSG), it is far from the safest, according to a recent test; experts rated 80% of the devices on the market as low. The experts managed to deceive most sensors more easily than expected.
Representatives of the Talos Security Group studied the scanner algorithm installed in gadgets of Apple, Samsung, Microsoft and other companies. The attempt to unlock the devices used a false fingerprint; which bypassed the security in 80 per cent of the cases. Among the most vulnerable devices were Apple iPhone 8, Macbook Pro (2018) and Samsung Galaxy S10. Because the sensor’s logic of operation is based on the prediction of a print image, 90% of cases the hack was successful as result.
Notably, at the Samsung Galaxy A70, none of the twenty models produced worked. However, the model has a related drawback – the smartphone has been reading fingerprints much longer than most test participants. The verdict of the Talos Security Group proved disappointing – according to them, the most common type of authentication is not safe. As an alternative, they recommended using the PIN code to unlock the display: the probability of a simple override is much lower.
