watch it: “Cloning passport card RFIDs in bulk for under $250”

Wed, Feb 11, 2009

Great. I just renewed my passport, and I got one with a RFID chip in it. Not that I had a choice in the matter — they don’t ask you if you want a chipped passport.

More at The Register.

via Americablog

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5 Comments

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Mimi

Wed, Feb 11, 2009 1:57pm

Passport cards are different from passport books, though, and I assume you (MaryAnn) got a passport book, since you’re traveling to the UK. I know there are concerns about the chips in books, too, but this particular story seems to be about passport cards, which look like driver’s licenses. Not that this isn’t creepy — it is.

Newbs

Wed, Feb 11, 2009 3:39pm

MaryAnn, I got a new passport recently too and it has the RFID chip in it. But I spent $12 for one of those RFID blocking wallets; I guess it has aluminum in it or something. Anyway, the claim is nobody can read your chip while it’s closed up safely in the wallet. You should definitely look into it.

Newbs

Wed, Feb 11, 2009 3:41pm

Also, MythBusters did an episode about how easy it is to steal these RFID signals — apparently it was quashed by the network or a credit card company or something.

Anne-Kari

Wed, Feb 11, 2009 5:11pm

Anyone else hear that simple aluminum foil wrapped around your passport does the trick? Even if it doesn’t, $12 sounds reasonable for RFID blocking wallet…