Researcher finds flaw in Samsung fingerprint check

BERLIN – A Berlin-based researcher says he has managed to fool the fingerprint-based security system on Samsung’s new Galaxy S5 smartphone using wood glue and a picture of the original print.

Ben Schlabs, who works for Security Research Labs, says the trick is identical to the one hackers used to unlock Apple’s iPhone 5s last year. The S5 flaw is potentially more serious because Schlabs says he was also able to trick the electronic payment app PayPal, which uses Samsung’s fingerprint authentication.

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READ MORE: iPhone 5S fingerprint scanner more convenience than security technology expert says

Schlabs says users concerned about security can choose to use a strong password instead of the convenient but flawed fingerprint system.

A spokeswoman for Samsung in Germany wasn’t immediately able to comment Thursday.

In a statement, PayPal says it stands behind the system and has other fraud-protection measures in place.