Comments on: Build Your Own RFID Deflecting Wallet http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2415 Independent Tech News and Product Reviews from former VP and head of CNET.com and Longtime Computer Shopper Columnist, Alice Hill author of the popular "Hard Edge" column. Originally named AliceandBill.com. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:54:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Moschops http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2415#comment-249156 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 10:55:06 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2415#comment-249156 Look up Faraday Cage. The aim is to create a highly conductive box around the RFID. By this manner, any external EM fields will be neutralised by the appropriate motion of the electrons in the conductive box. The more freely the electrons can move (i.e. the better an electrical conductor it is), the better it will work. High frequencies EM fields will change faster than the electrons rearrange and will not be fully stopped except by a better conductor. It's very fundamental physics. Look up Faraday Cage. The aim is to create a highly conductive box around the RFID. By this manner, any external EM fields will be neutralised by the appropriate motion of the electrons in the conductive box. The more freely the electrons can move (i.e. the better an electrical conductor it is), the better it will work. High frequencies EM fields will change faster than the electrons rearrange and will not be fully stopped except by a better conductor. It’s very fundamental physics.

]]> by: » How to Disable Your Passport’s RFID Chip (and not go to jail) » Blog Archive   Alice Hill’s Real Tech News - Independent Tech http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2415#comment-246317 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 00:48:34 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2415#comment-246317 [...] Short of building your own RFID-blocking wallet, the gang at Wired discovered that simply hitting the chip with a hammer (located inside the back cover) will render it useless. So much for high tech. And to be clear, a disabled chip does not invalidate the passport. Just don’t brag about the hammer in the customs line or you’re looking at 25 years of hard time. [...] […] Short of building your own RFID-blocking wallet, the gang at Wired discovered that simply hitting the chip with a hammer (located inside the back cover) will render it useless. So much for high tech. And to be clear, a disabled chip does not invalidate the passport. Just don’t brag about the hammer in the customs line or you’re looking at 25 years of hard time. […]

]]> by: ParanoidNot http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2415#comment-9116 Thu, 05 Jan 2006 17:45:33 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2415#comment-9116 With un-encrypted RFID the US government is now issuing in Passports we all need to protect ourselves from privacy invasion. Most places on the web say to wrap your wallet in “tin foil”. I am sick of hearing that RFID signals are blocked by Aluminum foil. They are not stop believing it. My father in law is a radio engineer and he has to block radio signals all of the time. The best material is Pure Copper which complies with the US government Tempest regulations. For more information on RFID (spy chips) go to Http://WWW.SpyChips.com for a RFID Blocking wallet HTTP://WWW.DSBSecurity.com With un-encrypted RFID the US government is now issuing in Passports we all need to protect ourselves from privacy invasion. Most places on the web say to wrap your wallet in “tin foil”. I am sick of hearing that RFID signals are blocked by Aluminum foil. They are not stop believing it. My father in law is a radio engineer and he has to block radio signals all of the time. The best material is Pure Copper which complies with the US government Tempest regulations.

For more information on RFID (spy chips) go to
Http://WWW.SpyChips.com

for a RFID Blocking wallet
HTTP://WWW.DSBSecurity.com

]]> by: Alice http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2415#comment-8924 Wed, 04 Jan 2006 20:30:48 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2415#comment-8924 "Tin foil" and "aluminum foil" are used interchangeably, probably an old hold-over like saying "icebox" instead of refrigerator. From the reasearch I have done, the RFID readers can pick up signals and simple foil will deflect them. The main difference between the devices attached to clothes to prevent shoplifting and RFID chips is that RFID actaully transmits a signal a certain distance, while the older method required you to pass through a scanner to detect the anti-shoplifting device. They are already selling foil based passport holders, but I agree - an "off" switch would be much simpler though I doubt most people would use them. “Tin foil” and “aluminum foil” are used interchangeably, probably an old hold-over like saying “icebox” instead of refrigerator.

From the reasearch I have done, the RFID readers can pick up signals and simple foil will deflect them. The main difference between the devices attached to clothes to prevent shoplifting and RFID chips is that RFID actaully transmits a signal a certain distance, while the older method required you to pass through a scanner to detect the anti-shoplifting device. They are already selling foil based passport holders, but I agree - an “off” switch would be much simpler though I doubt most people would use them.

]]> by: Icedqube http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2415#comment-8875 Wed, 04 Jan 2006 15:17:30 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2415#comment-8875 Is there any real data that shows duct tape or foil works to block RFID? This all sounds like anecdotal stories without real evidence. Also everyone refers to "tin foil", do they really mean aluminum foil? Can you readily buy tin foil? What is needed is scientific testing by people with RFID readers and eithe prove or debunk these stories. If they are going to use RFID in things like passports and credit cards, then it should have a momentary switch that needs to be pressed in order for the circuit to work. That way it is normally off and unreadable by snoops. Is there any real data that shows duct tape or foil works to block RFID? This all sounds like anecdotal stories without real evidence. Also everyone refers to “tin foil”, do they really mean aluminum foil? Can you readily buy tin foil? What is needed is scientific testing by people with RFID readers and eithe prove or debunk these stories.
If they are going to use RFID in things like passports and credit cards, then it should have a momentary switch that needs to be pressed in order for the circuit to work. That way it is normally off and unreadable by snoops.

]]> by: John Corliss http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2415#comment-8845 Wed, 04 Jan 2006 11:36:52 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2415#comment-8845 Although blocking RFID tags like this is a good idea, duct tape glue has the unpleasant quality of migrating off of the tape over time when constantly subjected to lateral pressure (such as occurs when continually being sat upon.) Eventually, the wallet would become a sticky, clothes ruining mess. Of course, one could always simply wrap their cards in foil and put them in the wallet. As for me, I don't use credit cards at all. Never have, never will. Although blocking RFID tags like this is a good idea, duct tape glue has the unpleasant quality of migrating off of the tape over time when constantly subjected to lateral pressure (such as occurs when continually being sat upon.) Eventually, the wallet would become a sticky, clothes ruining mess.

Of course, one could always simply wrap their cards in foil and put them in the wallet.

As for me, I don’t use credit cards at all. Never have, never will.

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