Researchers warn of fingerprint theft from ‘peace’ sign

[1984hasarrived]

Forget facial recognition, now we have fingerprint theft.  As camera resolutions increase, this will be even easier for those who want to do it.

If they then get access to your iPhone ...

Could flashing the “peace” sign in photos lead to fingerprint data being stolen?

Research by a team at Japan’s National Institute of Informatics (NII) says so, raising alarm bells over the popular two-fingered pose.



Fingerprint recognition technology is becoming widely available to verify identities, such as when logging on to smartphones, tablets and laptop computers.

But the proliferation of mobile devices with high-quality cameras and social media sites where photographs can be easily posted is raising the risk of personal information being leaked, reports said.

The NII researchers were able to copy fingerprints based on photos taken by a digital camera three meters (nine feet) away from the subject.

“Just by casually making a peace sign in front of a camera, fingerprints can become widely available,” NII researcher Isao Echizen told the Sankei Shimbun newspaper for an article published Monday.

“Fingerprint data can be recreated if fingerprints are in focus with strong lighting in a picture,” Echizen also told Yomiuri TV.

He added that advanced technology was not necessary and anyone could easily copy fingerprints.

But NII says it has developed a transparent film containing titanium oxide that can be attached to fingers to hide their prints, the reports said.

The film prevents identity theft but does not interfere with fingerprints being effective in identity verification, the Sankei Shimbun reported.

But the technology would not be ready for another two years, the paper said.

Researchers warn of fingerprint theft from 'peace' sign | The Japan Times

[senona]

Whoa, this is getting out of hand. Sheesh.

Not that I've been one to post images of myself to the internet.


This could also work with thugs, who use their  gang hand signs when posing.
Or the rock -n- roll signage.

All one needs is the pointer finger, right?
Or is it any finger?







Best thing to do IMO, is NOT use your fingerprint as security.
I don't.......but it has more to do with not wanting my fingerprint floating around in some data base in the virtual world that could be hacked.
 

Prefer pin numbers myself.
And now after reading this article, staying that way!!