14 DAY TRIAL // A security vulnerability that allows anyone to unlock a Samsung Galaxy S10 protected with a fingerprint has convinced banks that it’s time to enforce new protection rules, at least for this particular model.
As a result, some banks removed their mobile banking apps for Samsung Galaxy S10, while others released updates to disable fingerprint support when apps are installed on this Samsung smartphone.
Earlier this month, it was discovered that breaking into a Galaxy S10 with fingerprint authentication turned on can be done with the help of a screen protector added on top of the display. Samsung has already promised a fix, and banks say their new rules remain in place until the company releases this path.
Security patch expected by both users and banks
As per AA, banks like NatWest and Nationwide Building Society in the United Kingdom already announced such measures.
“We’ve removed the app from the Play store for customers with Samsung S10 devices. This is due to reports that there are security concerns regarding these devices. We hope to have our app available again shortly once the issue has been resolved,” a NatWest representative has been quoted as saying.
Nationwide Building Society only restricts the use of the fingerprint authentication feature on Galaxy S10, and so do banks in other markets, like Israel.
Samsung’s fix is expected to go live sometime this week, and once this happens, banks should enable the fingerprint authentication or bring their apps back to Google Play Store for Galaxy S10 shortly.
In the meantime, users who want to stay protected can just disable fingerprint authentication on their devices. Without any fingers being enrolled, Galaxy S10 is just as secure as all the other Samsung phones, as password protections remain the most secure means of securing mobile devices.