Name and credit card number are printed on the credit card. More credit information are embedded in the RFID chip to be read by the legitimate credit card terminals used by merchants. What the RFID-CUSP report highlights most significantly is the new physical dimension of vulnerability that RFID credit cards introduce. Without even removing their cards from wallets or pockets, the privacy and security of consumers can be compromised. A scanner in a crowded subway station might surreptitiously harvest credit-card data from passersby. The RFID-CUSP research team dubbed it a “Johnny Carson” attack, which in one of his acts, he revealed the contents of sealed envelopes held against his forehead. Likewise, an attacker can quickly skim data from RFID credit cards in sealed envelopes while they are in transit or sitting in mailboxes.
Credit card companies responded by upgrading second generation RFID-enabled credit cards and excluding names from the data stored in the chip. Thanks to the effort of the scientists who could balance technology and personal privacy, we could have an advanced technological tool which is safe to use.

This picture shows the new RFID chips placed around a sugar crystal in the middle. The comment is on the scary side, that invisible tracking brings to mind science-fiction-inspired uses, or even abuses, such as unknowingly getting sprinkled with smart-tag powder for Big Brother-like monitoring.
No comments:
Post a Comment