Ever since I found out about the widespread use of RFID technology in products such as bank cards and passports to transfer personal information I became overly concerned. What if my personal information gets into the hands of cybercriminals? Would it ruin me? Do I have to buy a rfid wallet using rfid blocking material or does aluminum foil block RFID?
If you are in a rush, the simple answer is, Yes, aluminum foil will block RFID in most instances, provided that it fully covers the readable portion of a radio frequency enable card or other smart cards containing enabled RFID technology, including modern smart passports. In other words, you can use aluminum foil to protect RFID enabled cards if you want to protect them from cyber criminals with illegal card scanners.
You do not have to worry too much as the web has plenty of handy hacks and DIY suggestions on how to make it much safer to carry around your smart cards.
Prior to purchasing my first RFID blocking wallet (the secrid RFID wallet) i was asked and wondered, does aluminum foil block RFID signals?
I will dive right into this topic and provide you with all the information that I found based on scouring the web.
Before I spill the juicy details let me share with you a personal story. Not long ago I carried around my bank cards and used them in shops without a concern in the world.
Most amazingly, I did not recognise the risk involved with this technology, in regards to, personal information and details being taken from my card by deceitful individuals who meant me no good. I know that it is said that the risk is low and that there is no reported crime. But is there not reported crimes or is that the crime is hard to prove so it is classified as something else.
The jury is out, it is up to you and your peace of mind. One thing is for certain, no reported crime does not mean that there is no crime. The amounts that can be stolen with these readers is a small amount and no bank is going to fight a case for such a small amount.
Therefore for me, my peace of mind is worth the extra. Plus in all fairness the RFID protected wallets are alway made with better quality materials and look much better. So I am not really buying an RFID wallet but a great wallet that happens to include rfid protection.
RFID Blocking With Aluminum Foil
If you’re on a budget cannot match the cost of a new RFID wallet then you can use a simple homemade RFID blocker to protect your smart charge cards and smart passport.
In keeping your personal information on my card safe, the use of aluminum foil to block RFID signals is an option.
It is one solution that keeps on coming up on numerous occasions because aluminum foil is capable of obstructing RFID scanning devices even though it has a few underlining limitations.
The RFID section of the card must be fully covered and the aluminum foil must be kept in good order because it can deteriorate over time and make the protection ineffective. This should not hinder your preparation for making your own RFID-blocking wallet.
However, it’s not as secure as you believe.
If you decide to cover your credit cards with it, here’s what you require to understand about aluminum foil and what it in fact does but before we can do any of that, we need to know what RFID is?
What Is RFID?
RFID is brief for ‘Radio Frequency Identification’ and it is an innovation that had its early start in the Soviet Union as far back as the 1940s where specialists tried out acoustic waves and hidden listening gadgets.
The very first real RFID gadget didn’t occur till the 1970s where light and sound were utilized to transfer information, and the very first patent for the term ‘RFID’ wasn’t signed up until the early 1980s.
What all of this culminated into was an effective method of information conveyed using ‘tags’ which determined the information and then checked out by receivers. The information which can be sent and received is typically a series of numbers or letters which can be distinctively determined.
How has technology moved on to now? Do passports have RFID? What about my charge cards?
The information on your credit or debit cards and smart passport are modern examples of how the technology has evolved. Small chips are placed in these cards and the information is read from the card when a proper card reader is presented.
Does Aluminum Foil Block RFID Signal?
A number of sources across the web state that if you, in fact, have an RFID-enabled charge card, aluminum foil does a pretty decent job in protecting you personal information. The foil does it at the same level, if not much better, than a costly RFID-blocking sleeve.
Other sources state that aluminum foil does not obstruct RFID, just simply prevents it, indicating it just avoids checking out the details from a distance.
The cards are not in frequent use but are getting more popular. Magstripe cards are more popular at the moment. This might use some convenience for clever smart card users, however, it does not appear to be a sure-fire security approach.
This, naturally, does not use the conventional magstripe-type charge card, as they are not efficient in reading unless swiped at the point of sale.
RFID Cards Vs. Traditional Magnetic Stripes
RFID credit cards are more secure than magnetic strip cards. The RFID reader does not capture the name, address, or other personal information that is included on a credit card with a magnetic strip.
RFID, or radio frequency identification, are “smart cards” that do not need a magnetic strip to be read. Users simply require to tap them up against a charge card reader and it processes the payment demand.
Due to the fact that these cards have the ability to be scanned at any time, this is where some have actually checked out the aluminum foil hack to safeguard their cards without purchasing an RFID-blocking wallet.
Magnetic stripe cards or “magstripe” cards are still the most typical kind of payment card used by lots of cardholders. The information along the magstripe is encoded with your individual details, which is then translated by a card reader in order to dispense payment.
How To Protect Yourself If You Use RFID-Enabled Cards
You might be a victim of identity theft, whether you’re utilizing a conventional magstripe or an rfid-enabled card card.
At the end of the day, the very best defence is available in the type of diligence. Merely seeing your account might be your finest procedure of defence.
The very best DIY security is watching your accounts, protecting your cards in a strong wallet, bringing them just when definitely needed, and shopping at reliable merchants, both online and offline.
For cheap security, there are simpler methods than using your aluminum foil. It’s reported that Tyvek charge card sleeves are affordable, and they have the capability to obstruct RFID signals and therefore protect your cards from malicious attempts at lifting information from your cards.
You can make these yourself with Tyvek products, or you can purchase them currently made in the size of a charge card.
There are a couple of actions you can require to prevent the threats related to RFID. The very first is extremely standard, which is to just bring with you at any one time those RFID cards that you are going to require.
To put it simply, even if you might have a wallet or bag that can hold your passport, you do not require it with you unless you are taking a trip abroad.
Conclusion
There is proof that aluminum foil can be utilized to considerably prevent your RFID card from being scanned at a distance. Without the aluminum foil, my card was spotted by the reader at a range of about a half and a foot. With the aluminum foil, the card was not spotted till it had to do with 2 inches away.
In addition to these actions, among the very best methods to safeguard RFID products is to have them inside something that can obstruct the RFID signal. These consist of wallets, charge card holders, handbags, and passport holders.
Remember that your homemade rfid wallet is a good cheap option and may also be used as a project for the family.
So keep your information safe.
