Hackers clone e-passports
#1
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Hackers clone e-passports
I always thought these RFID chips were just a bit too gimmicky.
http://www.wired.com/news/technology...l?tw=rss.index
A German computer security consultant has shown that he can clone the electronic passports that the United States and other countries are beginning to distribute this year.
http://www.wired.com/news/technology...l?tw=rss.index
A German computer security consultant has shown that he can clone the electronic passports that the United States and other countries are beginning to distribute this year.
#2
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"The whole passport design is totally brain damaged," Grunwald says. "From my point of view all of these RFID passports are a huge waste of money. They're not increasing security at all."
#3


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I don't know about the technology behind the RFIDs embedded in passports - but our company frequently uses passive RFID tags and they are incredibly simple to program and read.
Is the RFID technology in passports the same as generic passive RFID tags?
Is the RFID technology in passports the same as generic passive RFID tags?
#4
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Originally Posted by chrislacey
I don't know about the technology behind the RFIDs embedded in passports - but our company frequently uses passive RFID tags and they are incredibly simple to program and read.
Is the RFID technology in passports the same as generic passive RFID tags?
Is the RFID technology in passports the same as generic passive RFID tags?
#5
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Originally Posted by Spiff
Yes.
#6
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Originally Posted by exerda
Yep, and due to concerns about sharing tough encryption with foreign countries, the data is stored unencrypted to boot. 

"Is this what the best and the brightest of the world could come up with? Or is this what happens when you do policy laundering and you get a bunch of bureaucrats making decisions about technologies they don't understand?"
^
#9
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Originally Posted by Lurker1999
I wonder if you can break the RFID chip on your passport. Hopefully I won't have to deal with this for another 9 years though.
But there was discussion earlier about using a microwave...
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Originally Posted by dizzy
Don't know if it actually works
But there was discussion earlier about using a microwave...
But there was discussion earlier about using a microwave...
#11
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Originally Posted by dizzy
Don't know if it actually works
But there was discussion earlier about using a microwave...
But there was discussion earlier about using a microwave...
#12
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If you 'broke' or otherwise incapacitated the tag, though, wouldn't it invalidate the passport?
"I'm sorry, sir, we can't verify the ID tag in your passport...you can't leave / return to the country until you get it repaired."
"I'm sorry, sir, we can't verify the ID tag in your passport...you can't leave / return to the country until you get it repaired."
#13
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Originally Posted by etch5895
If you 'broke' or otherwise incapacitated the tag, though, wouldn't it invalidate the passport?
"I'm sorry, sir, we can't verify the ID tag in your passport...you can't leave / return to the country until you get it repaired."
"I'm sorry, sir, we can't verify the ID tag in your passport...you can't leave / return to the country until you get it repaired."
#14
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Originally Posted by Spiff
People wash their passports by mistake all the time. 

I don't really care for the idea of an RFID tag either. The only useful thing I think could be incorporated onto a passport is a readable computer chip that a passenger could choose to upload info on themselves (optionally), such as medical records or allergies information, or emergency contact data. All in the event they were incapacitated and needed immediate help.
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Originally Posted by etch5895
Right, I understand that, but does that ruin the code that is scanned now? It is under the lamination.

