Asked by: Mary Brooks, Canterbury
It depends on the technology used within the fingerprint reader, but it is quite possible to trick many of them. Some will be fooled by a mould of your finger made out of the same gelatin as gummy bears – the gelatin has a similar electrical conductivity as your finger.
Some will be deceived by a fingerprint on a simple piece of sticky tape. Some are even outfoxed by a simple photocopied image of a fingerprint. Most are not aware if the owner of the finger is alive or dead. Like all security systems, fingerprint readers are not perfect.
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Authors
Dr Peter Bentley is a computer scientist and author who is based at University College London. He is the author of books including 10 Short Lessons in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and Digital Biology: How nature is transforming our technology and our lives.
