TOKYO — It’s a fashionable way to strike a pose that apparently started in Asia and has gained popularity around the world. <br /> <br />But now Japanese scientists are warning people their identities could be stolen simply by flashing the peace sign for a selfie. <br /> <br />Researchers from Japan’s National Institute of Informatics say it is possible to steal someone’s fingerprints in a photo taken from up to 3 meters away, CNet reported, citing the Japanese-language Sankei Shimbun. <br /> <br />All the potential hacker requires is a digital camera and the fingertips to be well-lit and in focus. <br /> <br />The researchers say the peace sign makes is easy for hackers to match fingerprints to faces, posing a security threat to phones, laptops, bank accounts and buildings. <br /> <br />They warn it is possible to steal fingerprints from peace sign gestures, waving, and people giving the thumbs up. <br /> <br />The researchers have developed a titanium oxide-based coating that can be attached to fingers to hide their prints. <br /> <br />The film protects fingerprints from theft but doesn’t stop them from working as security verification. However, it won’t be available commercially for another two years.
