The Samsung Galaxy S5 comes with a “new” fingerprint recognition feature that promises to add an extra layer of security to your smartphone. This feature allows you to make payments from PayPal, but it’s not really secure.
Three days after the official launch of the Galaxy S5, security researchers managed to hack the Galaxy S5's fingerprint sensor using a similar method used in the iPhone 5S' Touch ID hack last year.
Researchers from SRLabs recently uploaded a video to YouTube to demonstrate that they were able to bypass the device's fingerprint verification mechanism and gain unauthorized access using only a fabricated fingerprint.
The S5's fingerprint scanner allows multiple failed attempts, without requiring a password, so an attacker could potentially keep trying until they achieve their goal.
Samsung Galaxy S5 users can easily transfer money to other PayPal users by simply placing their finger on the sensor. But imagine what could happen if the phone fell into the hands of a hacker. Remember, PayPal accounts are directly linked to bank accounts, and with the Samsung device, transactions can be made without having to enter a password.
Additionally, if you restart an Apple iPhone 5S, it requires the user to enter a passcode before they can use their fingerprint to unlock the phone. Samsung's device doesn't use such a security measure, and an owner's fingerprint may be present on the phone's screen...which makes it very easy for someone in the know to copy it.
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