What is Digg?124 Comments
- oOLiquidNightOo, on 10/18/2007, -3/+58Scene: International Airport
Security: Your passport RFID chip doesn't seem to be responding sir.
Citizen: Hmm. That's strange?
Citizen: (Yes! I've foiled their attempt to impede on my privacy & freedom!)
Security: Sir, please come with us. We're gonna need to anally probe you.
Citizen: Whaat!? - Autoclave, on 10/12/2007, -2/+54"Our research has shown that, even when open only a fraction of an inch, the current proposed passport will fail to prevent unwanted RFID communications."
The rubberband, a wonder of modern technology. Pick yours up today and you'll be on the bleeding edge of this high-tech world. - ICSU, on 10/12/2007, -8/+57"WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH." - mutatron, on 10/12/2007, -0/+44Dang, everything happens so fast nowadays! I thought I might be giving away a patentable idea, but look at these.
rfid shielded clothing hack: http://www.electric-clothing.com/rfidpocket.html
rfid shielded wallet: http://www.rpi-polymath.com/ducttape/RFIDWallet.php
rfid shielded stuff: http://www.rfid-shield.com/
rfid shield failure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XXaqraF7pI
Then there's this:
http://www.flexilis.com/epassport.php
The current system prevents attackers from accessing the onboard RFID tag when a passport is fully closed; however, when in a pocket, purse, or briefcase, a passport has a very high probability of being slightly open. Our research has shown that, even when open only a fraction of an inch, the current proposed passport will fail to prevent unwanted RFID communications.
Although the current shield is often ineffective, the chip's password prevents personal information from being unknowingly disclosed; however, the simple ability for an attacker to know that someone is carrying a passport (and where he or she is carrying it) is a dangerous security breach.
Additionally, it may be possible to determine the nationality of a passport holder by “fingerprinting” the characteristics inherent in each country's RFID chips. Taken to a logical extreme, this security vulnerability could make it possible for terrorists to craft explosives that detonate only when someone from the U.S. is nearby.
A better solution utilizes a dual cover shield and a specifically designed RFID tag assembly which is able to shield the passport until it is significantly open, not just a fraction of an inch. Thus, even when your passport is slightly open in your pocket, purse, or briefcase, you are protected from malicious data-theft, and (in a pessimistic future) RFID-equipped terrorists. - capiCrimm, on 10/12/2007, -5/+39@DoctaStooge,
What's the Constitution? - jsg7, on 10/12/2007, -2/+36Because neither of you can read, apparently...
RTFA - volatileacid, on 10/12/2007, -0/+25read the article man
- mutatron, on 10/12/2007, -4/+26Or just slip it into an rf shield, some kind of metal-coated plastic thingy.
- nadadingsda, on 10/12/2007, -0/+21@mutatron:
"Taken to a logical extreme, this security vulnerability could make it possible for terrorists to craft explosives that detonate only when someone from the U.S. is nearby."
..this sounds like a patentable idea to me. - jsg7, on 10/12/2007, -2/+20Are we really sure destroying the RFID chip won't invalidate it or force you to have to buy a new one? I hate the RFID aspect of it, but I don't want to have to keep buying a new passport because my hammer "slipped"...
- xXShadowstormXx, on 10/12/2007, -3/+17Stop spamming Digg.
- calvmari, on 10/12/2007, -0/+13It'd be quite easy. Place your whole passport under a metal block, then hammer the block. The weight would be distributed, so you could claim it was crushed while in storage.
- mutatron, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12Read the article, people! It isn't about the government spying on you, it's about anyone in the world being able to read your passport info as you walk by. Check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XXaqraF7pI . Near the end, there's a demo of how you could kill someone with a bomb or other lethal device triggered by a device to read your passport information.
In this case, it just kills you if you're American, but it could be made more specific, to kill only D3koy or mutatron, for example. Could make for a good scene in a spy movie. The intended victim finds out of an assassination plot, then plants the appropriate US Passport on the assassin, who then walks by the device and is killed instead. - olddirtycr, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12Obvious signs include hammer marks, smashed rfid chip while the rest of the passport is in mint condition.
I'd wager half the people who destroyed their chip would suck lying about it. - MacGyver2210, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12"You wouldn't really admit to tampering with it though would you now? And if the RFID tag was unreadable - they couldn't prove you disabled it unless there were some obvious signs...?"
When it comes to things like national security and immigration, the US Government seems to rarely be concerned with things like 'proof', 'evidence', and 'admission of guilt'. - faskippy, on 10/12/2007, -4/+14Ha ha ha. No, our government wouldn't do anything like that. BTW, I have this bridge for sale...
- glucoseboy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11Will someone post an explanation on WHY we need to put RFID chip in the passport? Is it to prevent counterfeiting? Seriously, why can't some other form of authentication be used (holograms, microdots, etc.)
- happygiraffe88, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10Or you could build an RFID zapper from a cheap disposable camera... https://events.ccc.de/congress/2005/wiki/RFID-Zapper(EN)
- CanceledCzech, on 10/12/2007, -5/+14...and 2 + 2 = 5.
- daleeburg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9i wonder if a tazer could fry it?
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11@volatileacid
This is why version 2.0 of the passports will include an iSite camera- that way uncle sam will have video evidence of you tampering with it. - MacGyver2210, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Don't kid yourself, they already have your information.
- johnpaul191, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8FTFA: Here’s what you can do about it. But be careful – tampering with a passport is punishable by 25 years in prison. Not to mention the “special” customs search, with rubber gloves. Bon voyage!
basically if your RFID chip is not working, they will assume you are up to no good. it should be ok if it's not totally obvious what you did... but who knows. the chipped passports have a little icon on the cover so they know it should be functional. - D3koy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7I just got a new Passport like 4 weeks ago and it's covered in holograms and stuff like that....It would cost more money to fake than to actually buy...
- thcobbs, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6You're missing the point that, generally, all of the energy for a RFID tag to become active is derived from the reader. Once energy is applied to the system(specifically near-x-ray) the system becomes active. As the exposure increases, the RFID tag enters a positive feedback loop and destroys the silicon.
Since laptops aren't powered in this manner, they easily survive x-rays.... for a time... (disclaimer: Doesn't cover space exposure) - MacGyver2210, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6"Instead of leaving the chip active so that they can verify the passport is correct"
And seeing as how anyone can dupe your RFID, how does that happen exactly? - nogami, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I use the "Nexus" lane between Canada and the US - it used to be that you'd need to hold the RFID out the window and "wave" it at the sensor for it to register properly.
The last time I went across a few weeks ago, I was distracted by something and totally forgot to hold it out (it was still in my jacket pocket, inside the car, at least 10 feet away from the reader) and the customs guy didn't bat an eye as he checked-out my details on his screen, so the range obviously depends on the type of hardware in the chip and reader and is not equivalent for all devices.
N. - green1152, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5What has happened to our government? I am sick of it already.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Gordo0852 because technology will always remain stagnant.
- skyhighrockets, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4which would wind up burning the passport, did you even read the article?!
- volatileacid, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5You wouldn't really admit to tampering with it though would you now? And if the RFID tag was unreadable - they couldn't prove you disabled it unless there were some obvious signs...?
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4meh.
From:http://travel.state.gov/passport/eppt/eppt_2788.html#Fourteen
What will happen if my Electronic passport fails at a port-of-entry?
The chip in the passport is just one of the many security features of the new passport. If the chip fails, the passport remains a valid travel document until its expiration date. The bearer will continue to processed by the port-of-entry officer as if he/she had a passport without a chip. - UlicBelouve, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I also was going to state to microwave it, as there were other articles like this one:
http://web0.foreignpolicy.com/story/3652_0.html
...that suggested microwaving. I suppose that if it does cause the scorch marks (note the article says: the chip could burst into flames, leaving telltale scorch marks....COULD being the operative word, has it been proven either way?) Hammering could also leave telltale marks also, if you have ever tried to hammer a packet of paper hard enough to break a chip. - karmakanic, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Okay, you're saying I should swallow my passport for safe-keeping, or perhaps keep it "elsewhere" inside my body, for easier access? Hmmm...
- D3koy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I'm not sure about the body blocking the signal, but as for the rest of it I think you right
- volatileacid, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Power to the people... there must be a more foolproof method of disabling the RFID chip/tag. This could be a potential business opportunity!
- DrDabbles, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Allegedly those mylar bags you get hard drives in (maybe a little thicker) can block RFID signals. At least that's what EZ-Pass says. So, buy a hard drive new-in-box and save the mylar wrapper. Make sure you fold it over once or twice at the opening and tape it shut. Now, even with high-gain directional panel antennas it will be difficult if not impossible to detect your passport.
Of course, to counter that I'm sure I could use a 12-foot dish with a high-powered amp to pretty much roast the thing with RF radiation and turn it on. But, my guess is you'd probably notice something like that aimed right at your pocket. :-P - faskippy, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7So, what is it you don't agree with? Keeping the hackers at bay, or disabling the pretty little chip? Maybe anyone who protests the movement of the govt. making us more of a number than a citizen?
- Spizzat2, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I did test this for a college report. I used my work id card, which was RFID enabled and tested it at the scanner. The read range by itself was about 4 inches, just like the passports. When I wrapped it in foil, I could place my card directly on the reader and it still couldn't read the information. It's quite an effective shield.
- desigi, on 10/12/2007, -8/+11@ICSU:
Very good and scary quote. It's amazing how many similarities there are with the concepts described in 1984 and today. - daveyfire, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Ionno, ask a UCLA student...
- kosmicki, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Well, I just got a passport two months ago. Non RFID. Until 2016, I don't have to worry about RFID in my passport. They won't issue a recall of the current ones, as they will cycle out as they expire.
- thcobbs, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6And cloning a US passport is only good if you look exactly like the person with the passport.
- oOLiquidNightOo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3"They will use facial recognition software to compare your face with the picture on file."
yeah, but is this before or after the anal probe? ;) - Toast1185, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I think thats the case with anyone making illegal documents. When you consider the additional costs involved in getting a U.S. passport if you aren't a citizen or say getting an I.D. that claims you're over 21 when you aren't, you can see how the additional costs of naturalization or time dilation will add up.
- silentdud, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2This is one of the most worthy Digg's that I have ever made.
- mutatron, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4Hello! See my post above. People are already making money with this. Kind of sucks though, reminds me of the nagging (but probably inaccurate) feeling people have that computer viruses are actually produced in order to sell anti-virus software.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2To sum the replies up, you can basically legally disable RFID by crushing it with a hammer (know your 5th Amendment protects you from self conviction), sitting on it so it bends, or send it through an X-ray machine (unproven).
- dimplemonkey, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Wired Magazine. Always on the cusp of technology and their hi-tech solution is to hammer it.
nice. - D3koy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I guess you could strap the passport to the inside of your thigh, but that may not end well in a crowded airport
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