Vulnerability of new RFID Passports The current system prevents attackers from accessing the onboard RFID tag when a passport is fully closed; however, when in a pocket, purse, or briefcase, a passport has a very high probability of being slightly open. Our research has shown that, even when open only a fraction of an inch, the current proposed passport will fail to prevent unwanted RFID communications. RFID Shielding Passport case www.RFIDBlockr.com Although the current shield is often ineffective, the chips password prevents personal information from being unknowingly disclosed; however, the simple ability for an attacker to know that someone is carrying a passport (and where he or she is carrying it) is a dangerous security breach. Additionally, it may be possible to determine the nationality of a passport holder by fingerprintingthe characteristics inherent in each countrys RFID chips. Taken to a logical extreme, this security vulnerability could make it possible for terrorists to craft explosives that detonate only when someone from the U.S. is nearby. A better solution utilizes a dual cover shield such as the RFID Blockr Passport Cover available from http://www.RFIDBlockr.com The passport case and wallet are lined with a fine copper mesh that creates a Faraday cage around your passport and credit cards that have RFID tags embedded. A specifically designed RFID tag assembly which is able to shield the passport until it is significantly open, not just a fraction of an inch. Thus, even when your passport is slightly open in your pocket, purse, or briefcase, you are protected from malicious data-theft, and (in a pessimistic future) RFIDequiippe terrorists. Even though no personal information is disclosed due to the failure of the current shielding system, such a breach of security has a real potential for people to be hurt, and, given the time until implementation, has a real potential to be corrected with a better solution. For more information about protecting your RFID embedded Passports and Credit Cards VISIT; RFIDBlockr.com copyright © 2005-2007 john jolly