Data privacy is at stake
The digital revolution has a lot of merits, but it does not only bring positive aspects. Today, people are asked on a daily basis to provide personal information via RFID, whether they are shopping or travelling. They are in danger of losing more and more of their privacy. Personal information protection is a big issue nowadays.
What is RFID?
A growing number of cards – contactless credit cards, biometric passports and other cards are featured with RFID chips, which can store account information, digital pictures, biometric characteristics as well as digital fingerprints. We are confronted with the radio frequency identification technology at every turn.
Protect your wallets! – Payment fraud and electronic pick-pocketing
Contactless credit cards are convenient. They are even considered safe, as the card does not leave the owner’s hand during the payment process, in some cases not even the wallet. But in fact, there are big dangers. An RFID reader, a small frequency reader, is available at Ebay for as little as $ 10. The handheld RFID reader can read the personal information within seconds by sending an energy burst which activates the RFID chip without the knowledge of the card owner, thus exposing the private information. Personal data are then skimmed by unauthorized hackers. Sometimes, a frequency reader is not even needed: A cellphone app is sufficient, that has been proven by a German TV station and a computer security company. Data breaches, are, thus, a serious concern, for users of RFID chip cards, also known as smartcards.
Protect yourself! – Identity theft
Biometric passports and other PIV cards as well as EDL – enhanced drivers licences – are all featured with RFID chips, which can store digital pictures, biometric characteristics and even digital fingerprints. This allows a fast and convenient, contactless identification. But it also allows criminals with handheld RFID readers to get access to your personal data without you even noticing it. This data can be misused in a multitude of ways – identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information (name, social security number, digital fingerprint) without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. This can bring damage to your otherwise spotless credit history, can cost you a lot of money, a lot of time and in some cases, when medical data are stolen, can even affect your health. For these reasons, protection from identity theft cannot be emphasized enough.
How to protect personal information
Identity theft, payment fraud and electronic pick-pocketing are no fate you have to accept. You can do something for your personal data protection and for the protection of personal information of your customers. With the privacy protection foil, you can control, when the information on your RFID chip is read. The privacy protection foil is a protective sleeve which shields your passport and credit cards. It blocks unauthorized signals from accessing your personal information without your knowledge. The foil has been developed and tested by the Swiss company HWB Kunststoffwerke, is distributed by Bensons International Systems and has obtained the FIPS 201 approval by the US government. It can also serve as a perfect promotional gift, especially for companies active in the travel and finance businesses. RFID blocking passport sleeves and RFID blocking card holders can be branded with your logo. Find out more about this indispensable item at www.privacyprotectionfoil.com.