Security Enabled Network

They have placed the switch on these devices that can be squeezed when it needs to be scanned by the reader. When it is done being scanned, the device is automatically shutoff when it is no longer

An on/off switch has been developed for RFID cards by a UK firm that can help prevent RFID cards from being hacked. The risk comes from hackers being able to clone the transmissions sent from these devices and duplicate them to gain access to buildings. This can be done without the victim ever knowing it happened.

They have placed the switch on these devices that can be squeezed when it needs to be scanned by the reader. When it is done being scanned, the device is automatically shutoff when it is no longer being squeezed. This prevents hackers from being able to clone the RFID card when they aren’t in use.

There are many attempts by companies trying to increase RFID card security. There are even wallets that you can place these cards in that are made from stainless steel that block the transmission from these cards from leaving the wallet. This new on/off switch provides one of the least bulky methods. FasTrak, the toll tag system in use in the San Francisco Bay Area, is trying to develop a similiar on/off switch that can activate the RFID card only when it is entering a toll. This can help prevent thieves from cloning other drivers’ toll tag and then using that tag ID to go through tolls and foot the cost to those drivers.

The problem with introducing new security measures to RFID cards is cost. Because these cards are cheap to manufacture to begin with and are usually manufactured on a large scale, even a penny’s difference can make implementing a new security mechanism not feasible. Peratech, the company that has developed this technology says that it should cost cents and not dollars to implement it. Time will tell if their technology catches on with manufacturers.