RFID chips in passports - terrorist target?

http://www.rfidkills.com

In a misguided attempt to make US passports more secure, the US
Department of State plans to put radio frequency identification (RFID)
chips in all new passports. This RFID chip will contain the same
information currently on our passports, including the passport
holder's name, date and place of birth, passport number and
photograph.

In a dangerous world where Americans are targeted by thieves,
kidnappers and terrorists, the RFID-chipped US passport will turn
tourists into targets, and American business travelers will transmit
their identities to kidnappers wherever they go, thanks to the US
State Department.

Close up, the information broadcast from the RFID chip can be read by
anyone with an inexpensive electronic reader. Farther away, the RFID
chip can be activated enough to identify the passport holder as an
American.

http://www.rfidkills.com

In a misguided attempt to make US passports more secure, the US
Department of State plans to put radio frequency identification (RFID)
chips in all new passports. This RFID chip will contain the same
information currently on our passports, including the passport
holder's name, date and place of birth, passport number and
photograph.

In a dangerous world where Americans are targeted by thieves,
kidnappers and terrorists, the RFID-chipped US passport will turn
tourists into targets, and American business travelers will transmit
their identities to kidnappers wherever they go, thanks to the US
State Department.

Close up, the information broadcast from the RFID chip can be read by
anyone with an inexpensive electronic reader. Farther away, the RFID
chip can be activated enough to identify the passport holder as an
American.

Ok, how far off is the American-seeking Rocket-Propelled Grenade, or
the machine gun that only fires at Americans?

Gordon L. Burditt

http://www.rfidkills.com

In a misguided attempt to make US passports more secure, the US
Department of State plans to put radio frequency identification (RFID)
chips in all new passports. This RFID chip will contain the same
information currently on our passports, including the passport
holder's name, date and place of birth, passport number and
photograph.

In a dangerous world where Americans are targeted by thieves,
kidnappers and terrorists, the RFID-chipped US passport will turn
tourists into targets, and American business travelers will transmit
their identities to kidnappers wherever they go, thanks to the US
State Department.

Close up, the information broadcast from the RFID chip can be read by
anyone with an inexpensive electronic reader. Farther away, the RFID
chip can be activated enough to identify the passport holder as an
American.

Ok, how far off is the American-seeking Rocket-Propelled Grenade, or
the machine gun that only fires at Americans?

Gordon L. Burditt

In article ,
Steve wrote:

http://www.rfidkills.com

In a misguided attempt to make US passports more secure, the US
Department of State plans to put radio frequency identification (RFID)
chips in all new passports. This RFID chip will contain the same
information currently on our passports, including the passport
holder's name, date and place of birth, passport number and
photograph.

In a dangerous world where Americans are targeted by thieves,
kidnappers and terrorists, the RFID-chipped US passport will turn
tourists into targets, and American business travelers will transmit
their identities to kidnappers wherever they go, thanks to the US
State Department.

Close up, the information broadcast from the RFID chip can be read by
anyone with an inexpensive electronic reader. Farther away, the RFID
chip can be activated enough to identify the passport holder as an
American.

Really? Close up, any passport can be read by anyone who has a gun.

On Mon, 28 Mar 2005 18:46:49 -0800, Steve wrote:


http://www.rfidkills.com

In a misguided attempt to make US passports more secure, the US
Department of State plans to put radio frequency identification (RFID)
chips in all new passports. This RFID chip will contain the same
information currently on our passports, including the passport
holder's name, date and place of birth, passport number and
photograph.

In a dangerous world where Americans are targeted by thieves,
kidnappers and terrorists, the RFID-chipped US passport will turn
tourists into targets, and American business travelers will transmit
their identities to kidnappers wherever they go, thanks to the US
State Department.

Close up, the information broadcast from the RFID chip can be read by
anyone with an inexpensive electronic reader. Farther away, the RFID
chip can be activated enough to identify the passport holder as an
American.



Someone has a fundamental misunderstanding about how RFID actually
works. An inexpensive electronic reader will only be able to read the
unique ID code assigned to that specific RFID chip. Without access to
the massive database that contains the actual passport information,
the kidnappers will only see that there is a tag within reading
distance with a unique code of (for example)"Xqa39((l+$2@"

On Mon, 28 Mar 2005 18:46:49 -0800, Steve wrote:


http://www.rfidkills.com

In a misguided attempt to make US passports more secure, the US
Department of State plans to put radio frequency identification (RFID)
chips in all new passports. This RFID chip will contain the same
information currently on our passports, including the passport
holder's name, date and place of birth, passport number and
photograph.

In a dangerous world where Americans are targeted by thieves,
kidnappers and terrorists, the RFID-chipped US passport will turn
tourists into targets, and American business travelers will transmit
their identities to kidnappers wherever they go, thanks to the US
State Department.

Close up, the information broadcast from the RFID chip can be read by
anyone with an inexpensive electronic reader. Farther away, the RFID
chip can be activated enough to identify the passport holder as an
American.



Someone has a fundamental misunderstanding about how RFID actually
works. An inexpensive electronic reader will only be able to read the
unique ID code assigned to that specific RFID chip. Without access to
the massive database that contains the actual passport information,
the kidnappers will only see that there is a tag within reading
distance with a unique code of (for example)"Xqa39((l+$2@"

I guess thel''ll shortly make all the US visitors more secure by applying chip to their ear or ankle...
JaC


In a misguided attempt to make US passports more secure, the US Department of State plans to put radio frequency
identification (RFID) chips in all new passports.

Steve wrote:

In a dangerous world where Americans are targeted by thieves,
kidnappers and terrorists, the RFID-chipped US passport will turn
tourists into targets,

Oh dear, I think you have been watching far too much tabloid TV,
with purple prose like that.

Close up, the information broadcast from the RFID chip can be read by
anyone with an inexpensive electronic reader.

Actually, its rather easy to read from a distance, using a standard
reader and parabolic dish.

Farther away, the RFID
chip can be activated enough to identify the passport holder as an
American.

Come on! You seriously think we need RFIDs to identify Americans !?
Even if they keep quiet, the clothing, luggage and even haircuts
give it away.

Mike wrote:

Steve wrote:

In a dangerous world where Americans are targeted by thieves,
kidnappers and terrorists, the RFID-chipped US passport will turn
tourists into targets,

Oh dear, I think you have been watching far too much tabloid TV,
with purple prose like that.

Close up, the information broadcast from the RFID chip can be read by
anyone with an inexpensive electronic reader.

Actually, its rather easy to read from a distance, using a standard
reader and parabolic dish.

Farther away, the RFID
chip can be activated enough to identify the passport holder as an
American.

Come on! You seriously think we need RFIDs to identify Americans !?
Even if they keep quiet, the clothing, luggage and even haircuts
give it away.

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archive...passports.html
Bruce Schnier is a well known expert in computer security
Extract :
But the Bush administration is advocating radio frequency identification
(RFID) chips for both U.S. and foreign passports, and that's a very bad
thing.

Mike wrote:

Steve wrote:

In a dangerous world where Americans are targeted by thieves,
kidnappers and terrorists, the RFID-chipped US passport will turn
tourists into targets,

Oh dear, I think you have been watching far too much tabloid TV,
with purple prose like that.

Close up, the information broadcast from the RFID chip can be read by
anyone with an inexpensive electronic reader.

Actually, its rather easy to read from a distance, using a standard
reader and parabolic dish.

Farther away, the RFID
chip can be activated enough to identify the passport holder as an
American.

Come on! You seriously think we need RFIDs to identify Americans !?
Even if they keep quiet, the clothing, luggage and even haircuts
give it away.

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archive...passports.html
Bruce Schnier is a well known expert in computer security
Extract :
But the Bush administration is advocating radio frequency identification
(RFID) chips for both U.S. and foreign passports, and that's a very bad
thing.