Scientists Discover New Method for Stealing Fingerprints
Scientists have discovered a new method for recreating fingerprints using the sound generated when swiping touchscreens.
A team of researchers from the University of Colorado in the United States and universities in China, including Tsinghua University, Wuhan University, and Huazhong University of Science and Technology, has found a technique that could have significant implications for the use of biometric security systems, from smartphones to doorways.
This technique, named "Print Listener," reconstructs fingerprints using the audio signal produced when the screen is swiped.
According to the researchers, hackers can use a smartphone's microphone to record this sound and steal the fingerprints of their target.
The details presented in the research article suggest that frequent use of phones can lead to the disclosure of fingerprint patterns, resulting in significant financial and personal losses due to sensitive information theft, as well as potential risks to national security at times.
The method of attacking the Print Listener is extremely broad and covert. It involves capturing the sound produced when users swipe their fingers on the screen and can be launched through various social media platforms.
By employing this technique, researchers successfully recreated partial fingerprints 27.9 times out of 100 and complete fingerprints 9.3 times out of 100.