Radio Frequency Identification or RRID has been used for awhile it was designed for convenience, employing a small radio chip to hold and transmit personal information. That chip makes it fast and easy to perform tasks such as scanning items in stores, tracking shipments and entering secure buildings.But just recently within the last year or so it is now used in some Visa/Mastercard, debit cards, and enhanced driver's license. What it means is that all you have to do at some stores is hold up your Mastercard or Visacard to a card scanner called Visa Wave or PayPass and the transaction is complete.
It's simple, fast, and convenient just what we like.
So what's wrong with it then? Well, on an episode on 16x9-The Bigger Picture shows how anyone can create their own RFID scanner and connect it to a bluetooth connection then hook it up to a laptop and walk around and pass by bystanders. 16X9 Taking Credit: Identity Theft in the technology Age Card information is picked up including the 16 digits and the expiration date on your card. The information is then transmitted to the hackers laptop or phone via bluetooth technology. Where they could make a purchase using your card information. It's demonstrated in the video and all a person has to do is hold their makeshift RFID scanner up to your purse or wallet within 1 foot or so and within in a few seconds they have all they need.
Now what is even scarier is this technology is also in enhanced driver's licenses in Canada, the ones that allow you to drive through the border to the US without a passport. On this RFID chip in your driver's license contains all of your personal information. But these can be read from up to 30 feet away! Another way for someone to get all of your information.
I thought well, I'm safe from this I don't have an enhanced driver's license or nor I have ever used Visawave/Pay Pass before but I happened to take out my Visa and the white wireless radio symbol is on it!!
The only way to be completely safe is buy a special made sleeve for you credit card or diver's license which has metal plates in it that blocks the RFID signal.
Be aware of this little symbol and as always be cautious with your cards. I know I will be!
