NFC... ughh

[Comdrpopnfresh]

Was stuck in traffic today and was shuffling through music on my Lumia 928. I happened to place it on my leg, and all of a sudden the NFC tone was set off. When I got home, I tried the contents of my pocket, and realized it is one of my debit cards. None of the apps I have or tried today were able to read whatever is encoded on the card, however, I would like to:
Read the contents on my phone
Brick the card, so it does not function in this manner... If I cannot edit, or at least read it, I want the NFC info GONE.

 

[Mopetar]

Use a hole punch to take out the NFC/RFID chip that's embedded in the card.

You could also throw it in the microwave for a few seconds, but that's a slightly more radical approach.

 

[dawheat]

What are you afraid of? Everytime you give your card to a cashier or even worse, a waiter who disappears with your card, there is far greater chance of fraud or taking a quick pic of your card. Someone with the right equipment might be able to hypothetical bump you and read it, but at most it could be used only once due to the cryptogram. And you're not liable regardless.

People generally don't realize how much more vulnerable their cards are in everyday life.

 

[paperwastage]

the new US passports have RFID too

you can hit it (or your debit card) with a hammer

or place it in a microwave (but you get scorch marks)

or get a RFID-blocking wallet

 

[Zaap]

What are you afraid of? Everytime you give your card to a cashier or even worse, a waiter who disappears with your card, there is far greater chance of fraud or taking a quick pic of your card. Someone with the right equipment might be able to hypothetical bump you and read it, but at most it could be used only once due to the cryptogram. And you're not liable regardless.

People generally don't realize how much more vulnerable their cards are in everyday life.

Beyond that, every time you swipe your card at a gas pump or anywhere there's a chance sophisticated thieves have attached their own card reader and have read it. I don't really get the fear of NFC when so much else we somehow trust is even more insecure.

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

That's why I plan on never letting my pre-RFID passport expire!
I'm not fearful of anything, but I never use this card for anything but swiping, so I don't care to have that functionality.... functional.

 

[Mopetar]

That's why I plan on never letting my pre-RFID passport expire!

I'm not sure if that's possible. Eventually you'll need to get a new one, and the last time I had to renew mine, I had to submit the old one with the application. They sent it back, but had hole punched it so that it was obviously no longer valid.

Unless they've changed something recently, you'll eventually get a new one with a chip in it.

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

I'm not sure if that's possible. Eventually you'll need to get a new one, and the last time I had to renew mine, I had to submit the old one with the application. They sent it back, but had hole punched it so that it was obviously no longer valid.

Unless they've changed something recently, you'll eventually get a new one with a chip in it.

Lame, there is always a way round imbedded ICs in documents tough.... guess I will tackle the challenge of holding onto my non-RFID passport when it is due to expire.

 

[bearxor]

I'm not fearful of anything, but I never use this card for anything but swiping, so I don't care to have that functionality.... functional.

Have you given any thought to trying? Most places have NFC readers these days right on their machines you'd swipe and I'd argue that keeping your card in your wallet is way more secure than pulling it out to swipe.

Otherwise, stuff has to be pretty close in order for NFC to activate. If say you're probably pretty safe.

 

[Mopetar]

Lame, there is always a way round imbedded ICs in documents tough.... guess I will tackle the challenge of holding onto my non-RFID passport when it is due to expire.

Well you could disable the RFID chip in the passport, but I wouldn't make it look obvious as it's probably a federal offense to do so. If you're that worried about it, just get a metal case or container to keep it in which will block any signals

Otherwise you'll just have to live with it as eventually your passport will expire and you'll need a new one, or you're not going to be able to travel internationally.

 

[Nebor]

Turn off the NFC on your phone. That's the easiest solution to your "problem."

 

[paperwastage]

Turn off the NFC on your phone. That's the easiest solution to your "problem."

it solves part of his problem, but not the "paranoid" security part of the problem

 

[Nebor]

it solves part of his problem, but not the "paranoid" security part of the problem

It solves it in the "out of sight, out of mind" sort of way. And since this problem only exists in his mind, it's the only solution he needs.

 

[PowerYoga]

I hear if you put tinfoil around your phone and credit cards it makes it impossible for criminals to hack the NFC and read your PI.

 

[Zaap]

I hear if you put tinfoil around your phone and credit cards it makes it impossible for criminals to hack the NFC and read your PI.

My passport card came with a foil-lined sleeve with printed warning to keep the card in the sleeve to avoid it being remotely scanned.

I never gave it a second thought; I just keep it in the sleeve when I have it with me for travel.

Again, I'm willing to bet there are far more common ways our data/info isn't as secure as we're led to believe.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

The Nexus S when it first came out would have its NFC function with the screen off. My phone used to pick up my credit card all the time and it would beep. I learned to keep my wallet in a different pocket.

 

[bearxor]

The Nexus S when it first came out would have its NFC function with the screen off. My phone used to pick up my credit card all the time and it would beep. I learned to keep my wallet in a different pocket.

This is a great story. It has a beginning and an end. As well as a clear conflict for the main protagonist to overcome, which he ultimately does.

10/10 Would read again!