Hackers claim they have 'cracked' the new iPhone 5S fingerprint sensor, but don't worry - their method is a bit more Blue Peter than Mission Impossible.
The team from Chaos Computer Club in Germany showed that they could take a fingerprint from glass with a photograph, and then use that picture to make a fake that can unlock an iPhone with Touch ID enabled.
The method involves little more than some wood glue, some glass, a camera and a laser printer. They say it proves that Apple's fingerprint tech is not quite as unique as some claimed.
The team writes:
"The biometrics hacking team of the Chaos Computer Club (CCC) has successfully bypassed the biometric security of Apple's TouchID using easy everyday means. A fingerprint of the phone user, photographed from a glass surface, was enough to create a fake finger that could unlock an iPhone 5s secured with TouchID."
Admittedly, the 'hack' would require a thief to have accurate fingerprints ahead of time - a level of planning that would probably imply you have bigger problems than a stolen or 'borrowed' phone.
Still it's an interesting insight into the technology - and it might be something to keep in mind when deciding what level of security to use on your new device.
In Pictures: Apple iPhone Event
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Apple Introduces New Two New iPhone Models At Product Launch (16 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Phil Schiller speaks about the new iPhone 5S during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company launched two new iPhone models that will run iOS 7. The 5C is made from a hard-coated polycarbonate and comes in five colors. The 5S comes in three colors and contains an A7 chip. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Introduces New Two New iPhone Models At Product Launch (17 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Phil Schiller speaks about the new iPhone 5S during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company launched two new iPhone models that will run iOS 7. The 5C is made from a hard-coated polycarbonate and comes in five colors. The 5S comes in three colors and contains an A7 chip. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(18 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller speaks about security features of the new iPhone 5S during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company launched two new iPhone models that will run iOS 7. The 5C is made from a hard-coated polycarbonate and comes in five colors. The 5S features a fingerprint sensor, has an upgraded camera, and contains an A7 chip (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(19 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller speaks about security features of the new iPhone 5S during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company launched two new iPhone models that will run iOS 7. The 5C is made from a hard-coated polycarbonate and comes in five colors. The 5S features a fingerprint sensor, has an upgraded camera, and contains an A7 chip (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(20 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller speaks about security features of the new iPhone 5S during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company launched two new iPhone models that will run iOS 7. The 5C is made from a hard-coated polycarbonate and comes in five colors. The 5S features a fingerprint sensor, has an upgraded camera, and contains an A7 chip (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage during the introduction of the new iPhone 5c in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage during the introduction of the new iPhone 5c in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage during the introduction of the new iPhone 5c in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage during the introduction of the new iPhone 5s in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage during the introduction of the new iPhone 5s in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage about the camera quality during the introduction of the new iPhone 5s in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Donald Mustard, CEO of Epic Games, speaks on stage during the introduction of the new iPhone 5s in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(28 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Phil Schiller speaks about the new iPhone 5S during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company launched two new iPhone models that will run iOS 7. The 5C is made from a hard-coated polycarbonate and comes in five colors. The 5S comes in three colors and contains an A7 chip. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(29 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Phil Schiller speaks about the new iPhone 5S during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company launched two new iPhone models that will run iOS 7. The 5C is made from a hard-coated polycarbonate and comes in five colors. The 5S comes in three colors and contains an A7 chip. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(30 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Phil Schiller speaks about the new iPhone 5S during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company launched two new iPhone models that will run iOS 7. The 5C is made from a hard-coated polycarbonate and comes in five colors. The 5S comes in three colors and contains an A7 chip. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(31 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Phil Schiller speaks about the new iPhone 5C during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company launched the new iPhone 5C model that will run iOS 7 is made from hard-coated polycarbonate and comes in various colors. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(32 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Phil Schiller speaks about the new iPhone 5C during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company launched the new iPhone 5C model that will run iOS 7 is made from hard-coated polycarbonate and comes in various colors. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(33 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Phil Schiller speaks about the new iPhone 5C during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company launched the new iPhone 5C model that will run iOS 7 is made from hard-coated polycarbonate and comes in various colors. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(34 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Phil Schiller speaks about the new iPhone 5C during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company launched the new iPhone 5C model that will run iOS 7 is made from hard-coated polycarbonate and comes in various colors. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(35 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi speaks about iOS 7 on stage during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company is expected to launch at least one new iPhone model. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(36 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi speaks about iOS 7 on stage during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company is expected to launch at least one new iPhone model. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(37 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi speaks about iOS 7 on stage during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company is expected to launch at least one new iPhone model. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(38 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi speaks about iOS 7 on stage during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company is expected to launch at least one new iPhone model. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(39 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi speaks about iOS 7 on stage during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company is expected to launch at least one new iPhone model. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(40 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks on stage during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company is expected to launch at least one new iPhone model. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(41 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks on stage during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company is expected to launch at least one new iPhone model. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Expected To Introduce New iPhone At Product Launch(42 of60)
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks on stage during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. The company is expected to launch at least one new iPhone model. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Members of the media and Apple employees wait outside Apple headquarters before a new product announcement on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, in Cupertino, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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An unidentified Apple employee, in yellow, waits to assist members of the media before a new product announcement at Apple headquarters on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, in Cupertino, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
iPhone Event(45 of60)
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A journalist takes a photo of Apple's new plastic iPhone during a media event held in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013. For the first time since introducing the device that has reshaped technology and culture, Apple will offer two distinct versions of its latest iPhones - a cheaper model made of colorful plastic and another one that aims to be "the gold standard of smartphones" with a faster processor, fancier camera and fingerprint scanner for better security. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (credit:AP)
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A journalist takes pictures of the new plastic iPhones during a media event held in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013. For the first time since introducing the device that has reshaped technology and culture, Apple will offer two distinct versions of its latest iPhones - a cheaper model made of colorful plastic and another one that aims to be "the gold standard of smartphones" with a faster processor, fancier camera and fingerprint scanner for better security. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (credit:AP)
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Members of the media review the new iPhone 5c during a new product announcement at Apple headquarters on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, in Cupertino, Calif. Apples latest iPhones will come in a bevy of colors and two distinct designs, one made of plastic and the other that aims to be the gold standard of smartphones and reads your fingerprint.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Members of the media review the new iPhone 5c and 5s during a new product announcement at Apple headquarters on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, in Cupertino, Calif. Apples latest iPhones will come in a bevy of colors and two distinct designs, one made of plastic and the other that aims to be the gold standard of smartphones and reads your fingerprint.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Members of the media review the new iPhone 5c during a new product announcement at Apple headquarters on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, in Cupertino, Calif. Apples latest iPhones will come in a bevy of colors and two distinct designs, one made of plastic and the other that aims to be the gold standard of smartphones and reads your fingerprint.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Members of the media review the new iPhone 5c and 5s during a new product announcement at Apple headquarters on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, in Cupertino, Calif. Apples latest iPhones will come in a bevy of colors and two distinct designs, one made of plastic and the other that aims to be the gold standard of smartphones and reads your fingerprint.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Apple representatives demonstrate the new iPhone 5s during a new product announcement at Apple headquarters on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, in Cupertino, Calif. Apples latest iPhones will come in a bevy of colors and two distinct designs, one made of plastic and the other that aims to be the gold standard of smartphones and reads your fingerprint. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, speaks on stage before the introduction of new products in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. Apples latest iPhones will come in a bevy of colors and two distinct designs, one made of plastic and the other that aims to be the gold standard of smartphones and reads your fingerprint. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Craig Federighi, senior vice president of Software Engineering at Apple, speaks during the new product release in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. Apples latest iPhones will come in a bevy of colors and two distinct designs, one made of plastic and the other that aims to be the gold standard of smartphones and reads your fingerprint. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez (credit:AP)
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Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage about the camera quality during the introduction of the new iPhone 5s in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. Apples latest iPhones will come in a bevy of colors and two distinct designs, one made of plastic and the other that aims to be the gold standard of smartphones and reads your fingerprint. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage during the introduction of the new iPhone 5s in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, speaks on stage during the introduction of the new iPhone 5s in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage during the introduction of the new iPhone 5c and 5s in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage about the camera quality during the introduction of the new iPhone 5s in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, speaks on stage during the introduction of the new iPhone 5s in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)