Submitted via IRC for Bytram
Samsung Galaxy S10 Fingerprint Reader Defeated by Silicon Case
A couple in the UK experienced a weird bug on their Samsung Galaxy S10 that allows bypassing the fingerprint reader to unlock the phone regardless of the biometric data registered in the device.
Endeavors in the past tricked biometric protection in phones from multiple brands. Hackers were able to recreate a fingerprint from high-resolution photos and transfer them onto a thin film.
Lisa and Wes Neilson's experience, though, is different and does not involve any technology, just a cheap silicon case.
Lisa got the phone as a gift from her husband and decided to put it in a protective case. She soon discovered that even if only her own fingerprint was registered in the biometric settings of the device, the phone unlocked no matter what finger was used for the process.
Apparently, the same results were obtained with her husband and her sister said both, users whose fingerprint information had never been registered on the phone.
The culprit seems to be the the silicon case, which somehow confuses Samsung Galaxy S10's fingerprint reader and allows any fingerprint to unlock the device.
This conclusion came after Lisa tested the case on her sister's Samsung and the same result was obtained, according to The Sun.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 16 2019, @12:46AM
To extract what into mommy info
(Score: 2) by black6host on Wednesday October 16 2019, @01:54AM
We've got some rock star science going on here:
Lisa's sister, named Karen, promptly said: "I want to talk to the manager!!!" Samsung has not responded as of the time of this comment though industry insiders have noted that everyone in Samsung headquarters is pushing everyone else towards the customer relations department.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by SomeGuy on Wednesday October 16 2019, @02:09AM (3 children)
Repeat after me: Biometrics are not real security.
No, no, "Biometrics are not real security." not "we love sellphones!".
No, try again, "Biometrics are not real security." not "I saw it work on a TV show" because thats not...
Oh, never mind.
(Score: 3, Funny) by EJ on Wednesday October 16 2019, @05:46AM (2 children)
Biometrics ARE real security! See, I have this new device that can only be unlocked by exposure to my DNA.
I'm the only person in the world with my DNA.
(Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 16 2019, @07:54AM (1 child)
Never donated blood?
Gone to hospital?
Dropped a ciggy?
Chances are your DNA is all over the place.
(Score: 3, Touché) by EJ on Wednesday October 16 2019, @08:00AM
That whooshing sound you hear is nothing to be concerned about.
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 16 2019, @02:20AM
Stand by your ally, stand by the Kurds who fought the crazy death cult IS/daesh.
This is the lowest of low in American history.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 16 2019, @02:49AM
The US Police Chief's Association has recommended the purchase of silicone cell phone cases to all local and state police departments.
In related news, silicone cell phone case manufacturers have increased wholesale prices 5000%.
Film at 11.
(Score: 3, Informative) by EJ on Wednesday October 16 2019, @03:51AM (5 children)
Why would anyone buy a silicon phone case? It doesn't seem like that would offer much shock protection. Sounds like it would crack pretty easily.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 16 2019, @04:54AM (4 children)
Silicon rubber is rather durable.
(Score: 2) by EJ on Wednesday October 16 2019, @05:37AM (3 children)
Try drinking hydrogen, and tell me how well that works out for you.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 16 2019, @07:47AM (2 children)
I do, every day, with a nice oxygen mix
(Score: 2) by EJ on Wednesday October 16 2019, @08:10AM (1 child)
Two chemists walked into a diner.
One told the waiter, "I'd like an H2O."
The other said, "I'll have the same."
Then they discussed the profound effects the addition or omission of single elements or letters can have on substances and words.
Nobody died.
Well, nobody except for the pedestrian that was hit by a bus outside when crossing the street while distracted by his iPhone, but that's really not relevant to this story.
(Score: 2) by hellcat on Thursday October 17 2019, @08:30PM
Thank you for this. I hoped someone had the sense to point out the difference.
I suggest we officially change the name in San Fran to Silicone Valley. Far more relevant.