How Hackers Can Steal Your Fingerprints From Selfies
Discover the hidden risks behind a popular selfie trend in China and learn how hackers exploit fingerprint data from photos to breach security systems.
It all starts with a popular hand gesture.
In China, many people enjoy taking selfies while forming their fingers into a 'scissors' shape. However, cybersecurity experts warn that hackers can extract fingerprint data from these photos and use it maliciously. Zhang Wei, Vice President of the Shanghai Information Security Trade Association, revealed these alarming details.
According to Zhang, hackers can enhance and zoom in on selfies to obtain clear fingerprint images. If a photo is taken from about 1.5 meters away, the fingerprint can be fully replicated. Even at a distance of 3 meters, cybercriminals can capture partial fingerprint data, enough to unlock doors, authorize payments, and access other systems where the victim uses fingerprint authentication.
Professor Feng Jianjiang from Tsinghua University, an expert in fingerprint identification, confirms the reality of this threat. He advises users to carefully check the clarity of their fingers in selfies before sharing them on social media.
"For some individuals, capturing fingerprints is impossible due to skin conditions. But if the distance, shooting angle, focus settings, and lighting align perfectly, the fingerprint will be clearly visible."
— Feng Jianjiang, Professor at Tsinghua University
The warning post on China's Weibo platform was viewed 390 million times within 24 hours and received over 49,000 comments, highlighting widespread concern over this security issue.
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