COPYCATS

Hackers Can Now Fake Fingerprints

By using photos.

Hackers can now effectively fake people’s fingerprints with the help of just a few photographs. Jan Kissler, the hacker known as Starbug, demonstrated how to mimic fingerprints of German defense minister Ursula von der Leyen at a hacker conference. Using software called VeriFinger and high-definition photos—including some released by the minister’s office—Kissler created fakes of von der Leyen’s fingerprints. “After this talk, politicians will presumably wear gloves when talking in public,” Kissler joked. In all seriousness, the easy ability to mimic people’s fingerprints raises new concerns about the vulnerability of security systems, even ones that are protected by seemingly unique human markers.