Cybersecurity researcher firm Bkav released a video shortly after the iPhone X launch showing a mask fooling Face ID. Now they have shared a second video with more details and how they were able to pull it off.
The video shows how they used a stone powder mask and 2D infrared images for eyes to fool Face ID on the iPhone X.
The demonstrator first sets up Face ID on the iPhone X and successfully unlocks the phone with his own face. He then locks the phone, and immediately unlocks the phone with the mask.
They also are sure to note that attention detection is enabled, which is a feature that requires your eyes to be looking at your phone before it will unlock.
Apple has made claims on the security behind Face ID, even disclosing that they worked with Hollywood makeup artists to be sure that it cannot be fooled by masks.
Even though the researchers were able to pull this off, there is no need to worry. There are still plenty of things to keep in mind.
To start, you need to have a series of high resolution images of the person whose phone you are trying to access, a 3D printer, many other materials, as well as access to the person’s phone. The researches said you would be able to amass all the materials for roughly $200.
Even then, Face ID also improves over time. In many of these videos we see, they only unlocked the phone with Face ID once or twice before moving on to the mask. The longer you use Face ID, the more accurate it becomes and could be harder to fool.
Lastly, if it doesn’t work right away, your phone will lock and require the passphrase to enter. After 5 failed attempts, it locks itself to prevent spoofing.
Check out the video, and let us know what you think in the comments. Are you concerned with Face ID’s security?