UK RFID Passports Cracked (already), tin foil hats at the ready Options

[zetec]

http://techdirt.com/articles/20061117/183947.shtml

There's been an odd rush by governments to move to RFID passports, even though there are serious concerns about how secure they really are. Over in the UK, where many RFID passports are already in use, a security researcher and a reporter were able to crack some aspects of the passport. It is, admittedly, a limited crack, but it could potentially be used to make a clone RFID chip for a counterfeit passport. While the UK government claims this crack is no big deal, you'd have to think that it shouldn't take long for other problems to show up as well. What seems pretty clear from the description is that the implementation was done without all that much thought given to the security side of the equation. We're not as down on RFIDs as some people are -- but with all the questions about security and privacy issues, you would think that officials would have been extra careful before sticking them in something such as a passport. Apparently not.

And the US government thinks RFID is still the way to go, and will be mandatory in all new passports by i think it was 2012. Don't quote me on that, i forget the exact date.

still. creepy.

[impala454]

interesting... i guess it would have to be easy if they're thinking of using them for product tags at stores.

what this guy says is f'n stupid though:

The best way to solve a security problem is not to have it at all. If there's an RFID chip on your passport, or any of your identity cards, you have to worry about securing it. If there's no RFID chip, then the security problem is solved.

in someone's comment they mention "shielded passports" which can only be read when open. sounds like a pretty good idea. it's all new so of course they'll have to fine tune it, but I think RFID is here to stay.