A thief who doesn't have something as common as a combo scanner/printer (about $70 at Staples, or $30 used, or free if stolen) and a computer, could just turn around and quickly sell the phone to someone who does.
Or not. As you said, most thieves don't give a hoot about breaking into the phone. They just want to resell it before it gets remotely locked down.
The scanner was not meant to be tightly secure. It was meant to be a convenience unlock feature. As you said, it's better than no or simple passcodes, which is pretty common.
It isn't about just the printer, the thief also has to hold you down and take a 2400dpi picture of your finger.
Honestly this touch ID thing is for PPL who:
1) Dont use any passcode in the first place
2) Tired of using passcode for everyday usage
If you are so important with top secret info in your phone then use a real password, end of story.
Also are there really anything that is 100% secure?
p(10, 4) = 5040
No, that's if you can't pick the same number more than once....
Edit: Ah, you saw your error....
I am sorry but your point is moot. This is the same argument about a regular 4 number combination for a pass-code, it can be cracked.A thief who doesn't have something as common as a combo scanner/printer (about $70 at Staples, or $30 used, or free if stolen) and a computer, could just turn around and quickly sell the phone to someone who does.
Or not. As you said, most thieves don't give a hoot about breaking into the phone. They just want to resell it before it gets remotely locked down.
The scanner was not meant to be tightly secure. It was meant to be a convenience unlock feature. As you said, it's better than no or simple passcodes, which is pretty common.
(bold text added by me!)But, my point is, most thieves don't care about your information:
iPhones are primarily stolen for the money they can get selling them.
iOS 7's Activation Lock, activated by turning on Find My iPhone for the stolen idevice, prevents anyone from using that idevice without entering your Apple ID & password. It is bricked.
No... they have to take a 2400dpi picture of your fingerprint... you don't have to be there.
The same why police "lift" prints from glasses in bars, car door handles, brass shell casing and so on. They have been doing this at crime scenes for nearly 100 years. No computers or high tech gadgets are required. I think the technique involves some kind of power and a paint brush.
My bet is that almost every iPhone user uses the same finger to unlock the phone and to select icons on the glass screen. So his un-lock print will be left of the front glass in many places.
There is a simpler method. If they chop your finger, they will definitely be able to unlock the phone (contrary to some claims in the media)
It isn't about just the printer, the thief also has to hold you down and take a 2400dpi picture of your finger.