Comments on: Researcher: Misunderstandings surround RFID in use today

In particular, the general public doesn't get how RFID technology works within e-passports and credit cards, which could create unnecessary risk.

[Mergatroid Mania]

Stupid way to make a credit card

I will never own one of these cards.

There would be no danger at all if these companies would just, plain and simple, not put RFID in credit cards to begin with.

I mean, just how stupid can they be? Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD.

A credit card that is dangerous until you sheath it is just idiotic.

Now they will have to come out with laws making sure the companies explain to John Q Public Idiot just how the cards work, how and why it's important to sheath them, and just how much trouble you can get into if you don't.

Why not just come out with t-shirts with your credit card info printed on both sides? Then ANYONE LOOKING AT YOU could get your credit card info. That would be just about as safe as using RFID.

In closing, if I ran an insurance company, I would tell the credit card companies and their customers that they will not be covered if the data from these RFID cards is stolen.

Let the morons causing the problem pay for the consequences.

DUH!

[Hernys]

Assumption

You are making the assumption that this CAN't be done right. And it can.
A card's RFID might be deactivated (that is, completely isolated from the exterior world) until you press a button or flip a switch (flat switches that can be embedded in cards have existed for long). The switch might be spring loaded so it only works while you hold it.
Or the card might have a pin embedded, which you must enter for the card to respond at all. The card might even show info on the transaction before you accept.
Current magnetic stripe cards are not secure at all. Just swipe your card at a store and your card is theirs: they have all the info they need to impersonate you. Smart cards are the only known solution. They can be contact or contactless. Implemented well, both alternatives are fine.

[califalcon]

Why not put an on-off switch

Man, people never stop amazing me, just freaking allow the user to turn on/off their own RFID chip, that would solve alot of trouble.

Did you know that you can even be targeted in foreign countries because of the chip in your passport? Someone could make a bomb that only goes off if it receives a signal from a US password RFID chip for example, 21st century smart bomb! Just sick, no way in hell I am carrying one of those, I rather be without documents.