Security Firm Uses 3D Mask and Makeup to Apparently Bypass iPhone X’s Face ID

Although regular iPhone X users no obvious reasons to be concerned about the alleged efforts, a Vietnamese security firm has demonstrated a successful bypass of Apple’s new Face ID biometric authentication system by using a mask, which combines a 3D-printed frame with makeup, a silicone nose and 2D images with “special processing” in select areas, AppleInsider is reporting.

FaceID

Named Bkav, the security firm has shared a video showing an iPhone X being unlocked using both the mask and the person it is based on, while claiming that facial recognition is “not mature enough” for either smartphones or computers.

“So, after nearly 10 years of development, face recognition is not mature enough to guarantee security for computers and smartphones. In 2008, Bkav was the first company in the world to show that face recognition was not an effective security measure for laptops, right after Toshiba, Lenovo, Asus, etc. used this technology for their products.”

In practice however, Bkav-style masks are unlikely to pose a threat, since they would not only be difficult and expensive to make, but require the dimensions of a person’s face and detailed imagery.

Check out the video embed below and tell us what you think.

Youtube video

We’ve seen and read about people trying to bypass Face ID with twins and also ‘training’ Face ID to learn the faces of others. Apple says the chances of a stranger bypassing Face ID are 1 in 1,000,000, compared to 1 in 50,000 for Touch ID. There’s no way to really verify this video, so take it with a grain of salt.

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bunnyhero
bunnyhero
8 years ago

note that the iPhone and mask seem to be positioned very, very carefully

El Cockblock
El Cockblock
Reply to  bunnyhero
8 years ago

Dunno… seems legit but I don’t think that the X only scans on those particular areas on your face.

Shaf Patel
8 years ago

PAY ATTENTION, FBI.

Flash
Flash
8 years ago

So, hold a guy at gun point, scan his face, create a mask, apply makeup, break into phone, go on his Facebook and post “I’m gay”? Looks like too many people are trying to break into phones impracticably – do people have access to launch codes on their phones where someone might want to go to this much effort?

Mamba
Mamba
Reply to  Flash
8 years ago

Hold on, wait a minute….

If you have the guy at gun point, why still need to create a mask? Just unlock the phone already!

Shaf Patel
Reply to  Mamba
8 years ago

Yeah…

Bleep Bloop
Bleep Bloop
8 years ago

Keep in mind that in the promo video Apple said that they hired Hollywood mask makers. They never said whether their attempts were successful.

Mr Dog
Mr Dog
8 years ago

Something seems off. There has never been a scenario where Face ID unlocks perfectly like it did for him. It either shows the unlock at the top or will show the animation of authenticating. You even see the IR Sensor go off but it does not change the lock icon to unlock.

Dehop
Dehop
8 years ago

Never expected it to be perfect, but at least it’s several magnitudes more challenging than holding up a photo to a Samsung Galaxy 8.

Shaf Patel
Reply to  Dehop
8 years ago

Haha, YES

MrXax
MrXax
8 years ago

This is extremely encouraging, actually. That’s a hell of a lot of effort someone would have to go through in order to see my dick pics.

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