A closer look at RFID security

This is a collection of youtube videos about RFID security with my input at the end. RFID is a convenient technology that increases more with each year. More ID's and credit cards are using this technology and although it makes it easier for them to do business with you it also makes it easier for criminals to gain unauthorized access to your most personal information. This information could be in your wallet right now, you go to work with it, go to the bar/restaurant with it, go to basketball games with it.

All it would take for your information to be electronically swiped from inside your pocket is someone with a RFID scanner. The range between the scanner and the RFID antenna varies and with a more powerful scanner it is possible to gain larger distances. Even with the enhanced security of a RFID blocking sheath it is still possible with a powerful scanner to read RFID cards. Chris Paget did a test in San Francisco and was able to read RFID's from the 8th floor of an apartment building. He also shows how high powered multi antenna RFID trackers can be set up and driven around cities to gain personal information.

Even with the added RFID blocking sheath protecting your ID's/credit cards, you'll still need to take them out when it is being used, this is also a vulnerability. It is possible for a criminal to hide an RFID scanner for their own purposes next to a legitimate RFID scanner, thus going undetected. They could also take a legitimate RFID scanner and turn it around to be used for their own purposes and we wouldn't even know the difference. I can't verify the level of RFID crimes being committed but it's just a matter of time before it becomes more prevalent. Criminals like to use the most efficient mode available to steal, what easier way than picking your pocket electronically and possibly even stealing your identity in the process.

I've come across some skepticism about the security risks of RFID technology, some believe it is a myth. For those who doubt, let me ask the question; when the internet was created would they have believed that within 10-20 years that hackers from around the globe would be able to gain top secret info from other countries? No. Did it happen? Yes. Is RFID currently a big source of criminal activity? Doesn't seem to be at the moment. Will criminals adapt to using this technology in order to exploit more resources? It's only logical. If we can learn from the past and see what is currently possible with RFID hacking then hopefully we'll prepare for this security vulnerability before criminals are able to try and rip us off. My advice to you is, don't take a chance on this one, exercise some good judgment and avoid having your Identity stolen or your credit record marred.

Below are links to the sources contained in this video:

What is RFID, what are the dangers?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNPDgudPmXE

Are RFID tags secure? No (play starting at 28:00-31:00)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjT7wJusuW4

Possible targeting of US citizens by RFID passports (play from 1:00-3:40)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XXaqraF7pI

Hacking Passport Cards in SF (play till 2:47, not full clip)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9isKnDiJNPk

Passport security, and protective measures FOX News segment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AfhqY5lbOQ

Hacking work ID badges
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj3V0rAqBG0

How to protect your work ID badge and credit cards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTa8oviCPt8

Field expedient RFID shielding (play from 3:30-3:50)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou6-8xDEnUI

Destroy the RFID chip in credit cards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKB4pz3EHmc


Other informative links:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/15/AR20060915009...

Category:

Education

Tags:

• RFID
• security
• credit card
• passport
• license
• ID's
• antenna
• scanner