Samsung Investigating Galaxy S8 'iris Hack'
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published May 24, 2017 | 09:10 AM
SEOUL, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th May, 2017 ) - samsung Electronics is investigating claims by a German hacking group that it fooled the iris recognition system of the new flagship Galaxy S8 device, the firm said Wednesday.
The launch of the Galaxy S8 was a key step for the world's largest smartphone maker as it sought to move on from last year's humiliating withdrawal of the fire-prone Galaxy Note 7s, which hammered the firm's once-stellar reputation.
But a video posted by the Chaos Computer Club (CCC), a German hacking group founded in 1981, shows the Galaxy S8 being unlocked using a printed photo of the owner's eye covered with a contact lens to replicate the curvature of a real eyeball.
"A high-resolution picture from the internet is sufficient to capture an iris," CCC spokesman Dirk Engling said, adding: "Ironically, we got the best results with laser printers made by Samsung." A Samsung spokeswoman said it was aware of the report and was investigating.
The iris scanning technology was "developed through rigorous testing", the firm said in a statement as it sought to reassure customers.
"If there is a potential vulnerability or the advent of a new method that challenges our efforts to ensure security at any time, we will respond as quickly as possible to resolve the issue." Samsung's hopes of competing against archrival Apple's iPhone had been pinned on the Galaxy S8 after last year's Note 7 disaster.
The recall debacle cost Samsung billions of Dollars in lost profits and hammered its global credibility, forcing it to apologise to consumers and postpone the S8 launch. But since it was released in April it has received positive reviews and strong orders.
The CCC previously demonstrated a way to defeat Apple's TouchID fingerprint sensors -- using graphite powder, a laser etching machine and wood glue -- just weeks after the first iPhone 5s hit the shelves. Traditional PIN protection was "a safer approach than using body features for authentication", Engling said.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From World
-
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
13 minutes ago -
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
13 minutes ago -
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
28 minutes ago -
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
17 minutes ago -
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
18 minutes ago -
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
25 minutes ago
-
Israeli-fired unexploded bombs could take 14 years to clear: UN
18 minutes ago -
US announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
12 minutes ago -
Pakistan’s National Day Reception held in Colombo
12 minutes ago -
Erdogan's White House talks with Biden on May 9 postponed: Turkish official
12 minutes ago -
Spanish PM keeps country guessing on his future
12 minutes ago -
At least 10 people killed in Brazil fire: officials
2 hours ago