How safe is your wireless credit or debit card?

rustic · 02-01-2014, 10:42

I have been researching how to make things more secure at home and in the car.
Basically, any mass produced security item, whether a car door lock, house lock, safe or credit card can be hacked in seconds.

I also found that the new contactless debit card can be hacked, and all the data stolen, without you even knowing it. Cash can be withdrawn etc etc.

These cards are designed for close contact, a few inches from the sensing device, however, if you set up a stronger transmitter, they can be read from several metres. Even a 100 metres ie on Tags for Toll Roads etc
A lap top and emitter, say in a ruck sack, at the entrance to say a fast food outlet, can scan every card entering the building. Taking the details from hundreds of cards per hour.

see http://m.wikihow.com/Keep-RFID-Credit-Cards-Safe

There are other sites, to look at.

So how can we avoid it?
1 don't take these cards out with you, keep them in a metal box at home.
2 wrap them in aluminium, disrupting the rfi field
3 place screens in your wallet
4 buy special liners for your cards, but when you take the card out, it is then vulnerable.
5 locate the chip, which is about 4x4 and dig it out and destroy it

Passports are also vulnerable, data can be stolen too... so wrap these when you travel

.

We have no choice with these debit cards, my last one had it embedded, I didn't ask for it.

Just thought I would bring this to your attention.
When you look at your statement, did you really know what you bought when you were out, try proving that to the bank when small transactions appear.

Walmart, USA are embedding these chips now in clothing and other goods, so they can track the goods around the shop... for stock control and location purposes...

BUT the wearer /owner can be tracked for ever... which shop you go to, how many times you go to the loo, if you were in the vicinity when a crime took place.

So logic says that if you have one of these contact less credit cards, it goes to show, that technology is there to track your every movement...
We know that mobile phones can be tracked, so now passports could be, and people via goods they have bought or credit /debit cards.
Of course the data will only be used for marketing purposes, to check on spending habits... yeaah .... right...

Something to think about...

Take care, be aware...
There are people out there looking to steal your property, and there is very little you can do about it... OR IS THERE?
Watch out, there's a thief about, but this time you can't see them.

Rustic

02-01-2014, 10:42	#1
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	How safe is your wireless credit or debit card? I have been researching how to make things more secure at home and in the car. Basically, any mass produced security item, whether a car door lock, house lock, safe or credit card can be hacked in seconds. I also found that the new contactless debit card can be hacked, and all the data stolen, without you even knowing it. Cash can be withdrawn etc etc. These cards are designed for close contact, a few inches from the sensing device, however, if you set up a stronger transmitter, they can be read from several metres. Even a 100 metres ie on Tags for Toll Roads etc A lap top and emitter, say in a ruck sack, at the entrance to say a fast food outlet, can scan every card entering the building. Taking the details from hundreds of cards per hour. see http://m.wikihow.com/Keep-RFID-Credit-Cards-Safe There are other sites, to look at. So how can we avoid it? 1 don't take these cards out with you, keep them in a metal box at home. 2 wrap them in aluminium, disrupting the rfi field 3 place screens in your wallet 4 buy special liners for your cards, but when you take the card out, it is then vulnerable. 5 locate the chip, which is about 4x4 and dig it out and destroy it Passports are also vulnerable, data can be stolen too... so wrap these when you travel. We have no choice with these debit cards, my last one had it embedded, I didn't ask for it. Just thought I would bring this to your attention. When you look at your statement, did you really know what you bought when you were out, try proving that to the bank when small transactions appear. Walmart, USA are embedding these chips now in clothing and other goods, so they can track the goods around the shop... for stock control and location purposes... BUT the wearer /owner can be tracked for ever... which shop you go to, how many times you go to the loo, if you were in the vicinity when a crime took place. So logic says that if you have one of these contact less credit cards, it goes to show, that technology is there to track your every movement... We know that mobile phones can be tracked, so now passports could be, and people via goods they have bought or credit /debit cards. Of course the data will only be used for marketing purposes, to check on spending habits... yeaah .... right... Something to think about... Take care, be aware... There are people out there looking to steal your property, and there is very little you can do about it... OR IS THERE? Watch out, there's a thief about, but this time you can't see them. Rustic __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.