The news that the iPhone 6 can be hacked with the same fake fingerprints that hacked the previous version has sparked heated debate among security researchers.
Researcher Marc Rogers has proven that the TouchID fingerprint sensor on the latest iPhone can be easily "tricked": All it takes is a fingerprint on a shiny surface and a little glue to gain access to the smartphone.
What's surprising is that this method has been known for at least 12 years. "I'm surprised that no action has been taken on security vulnerabilities that have been known for the past decade," said security researcher Dan Kaminsky.
AuthenTec, the company that Apple acquired and makes Touch ID, has been developing a groundbreaking technology that can read information from the inside of the finger in addition to the fingerprint. This technology would have much greater security advantages, but it would also increase the selling price of the iPhone 6.Rumors say that Apple planned to use the new technology in the iPhone, but ultimately did not do so due to cost considerations.
