Japanese fingerprint scanner defeated by “special tape” on fingers

From SMH:

Japan spent more than Y4 billion ($A64 million) to install the system, which reads the index fingerprints of visitors and instantly cross-checks them with a database of international fugitives and foreigners with deportation records, the Yomiuri Shimbun said.

Woman fools Japan’s airport security fingerprint system [SMH.com.au via Hallyutech.net]

1. [zuzu]

   Previously:
   * Hackers publish thousands of copies of fingerprint of German Minister who promotes fingerprint biometrics
   

   Hackers from the Chaos Computer Club lifted a fingerprint from German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schauble, printed it on plastic, and distributed it by the thousands with their magazine for anyone who wants to impersonate the Minister at a biometric checkpoint.

   The CCC’s publication of the fingerprint coincides this week with the presentation of a security researcher who demonstrated a biometric keylogger that can capture digital fingerprints and other digital biometric data as its transmitted from a scanning device to the server where the information is processed. The hacker can then analyze and re-use the data to subvert biometric systems and gain entry to secured buildings.

2. [certron]

   As is often said by people smarter than me, one of the problems with biometric identification is that once they are compromised, they cannot be revoked. The CCC publication likely aims to highlight this fact.

   In this case, the point is to taint/modify reality just enough for the sensor to register a negative. As to whether it is a false negative or a true negative is probably better suited to the metaphysicists.

   I suppose some identifiers can be physically detached from the rest of the body, but they tend not to function very well after that.

3. [Enochrewt]

   #2: If countless action movies have taught me anything, it’s you have to use those detachable bits while they’re fresh.

4. [owza]

   Yeah, give criminals the finger!