Access controls and payment processing have both been automated as a result of the advancement of RFID technology. RFID cards are widely used by businesses to speed up the identification process and provide ease.
But counterfeit RFID cards have caused serious security risks. Ingenious methods for duplicating cardholder data have been developed by criminals to create clone RFID cards.
Criminals then access highly restricted areas with the cloned RFID card or withdraw substantial sums of money from the cardholder’s bank account. This article outlines some strategies you can use to safeguard yourself from RFID card cloning scammers.
What is an RFID card and how do you use one?
These cards are made of laminated plastic (mostly PVC) and have an RFID chip that contains all the relevant data on the owner. Data is transferred using radio wave signals generated by the tag (the chip).
Anytime an RFID reader is in close proximity to an RFID card, it picks up the electromagnetic waves, records the data, and sends it for analysis. When this occurs, among many other things, the card will allow you to access restricted locations, make payments, and withdraw cash.
Unauthorized individuals who gain access to the data on the RFID chip can quickly copy it onto another card to create a clone. This RFID card copy will function just like the genuine card, which is a serious security risk.
The Process of RFID Card Cloning
The cloning of RFID cards has substantially grown due to technological advancement. Since this issue includes obtaining your data against your will, it is sometimes referred to as “Digital Pickpocketing.”
The crooks will need an RFID card reader, data analysis software, and a blank RFID chip/card for the cloning to take place.
Once they acquire the card reader, they will carry it around in a bag while reading RFID cards covertly. Sadly, even when the cards are in pockets or handbags, the RFID card reader will still pick up radio wave signals!
The stolen information is sent to the software, where the thieves copy it to a blank chip to create a counterfeit card.
Then, these information thieves will utilize the RFID card copy to carry out all actions that are otherwise only permitted to the cardholder. With the clone card, they will be able to enter restricted locations and even make purchases!
Why RFID Cards Are So Easily Duplicated
RFID cards come in a variety of forms, from proximity cards to credit cards. They do, however, share a common working theory that criminals have mastered.
The circuitry in these cards is rather simple. When an RFID reader excites the card, it releases the data without needing to be questioned again (unless the card is enabled for 2-factor authentication).
An RFID chip’s coil is excited by the reader’s electrical field, further charging the capacitor. The integrated circuit is then powered by the capacitor, and it transmits the information to the coil. Finally, the reader receives the data from the coil.
As is clear, this procedure is straightforward and lacks any fraud detection security measures (cards manufacturers are increasingly rectifying the anomaly by encrypting the data). Hacking proximity cards and other older generations of cards just requires a basic understanding of radio technology.
Numerous RFID reader gadgets can also assist you in obtaining the key card number, which serves as each card’s engine. While the devices are intended to assist you in recovering or editing the number, thieves may take advantage of them to obtain the information and use it to create a clone card.
However, there are a number of techniques you may take to safeguard your RFID cards and ensure their security.
How to Prevent the Duplication of Your RFID Card
Without a question, card skimming is terrifying. It poses serious security risks and can cause losses. As a result, you must take precautions to stop thieves from copying your RFID card. Here are several tried-and-true methods you can use:
Use RFID card sleeves or blockers
Your card is protected from the card reader by RFID blocks. It creates a boundary that keeps radio wave signals from being picked up by the RFID card reader.
Even better, the RFID reader won’t cause your card to become excited. Therefore, there won’t be any possibility of data transfer from the card to the reader.
These sleeves and blockers may be constructed from various electromagnetism-poor conductors. They might also have a tiny barrier layer of metal in them.
You should choose a card sleeve that makes it simple and quick to remove the card because the sleeves cannot tell the difference between trustworthy and malicious RFID readers. Once you’ve finished your transactions, put the card back in its sleeve for extra security.
Using two factors to authenticate
Make sure your card supports multi-factor authentication if you want more control over your card info.
You will get a message with a special identifying code when using this idea. You have the option of receiving the code through email or text message.
Once you get the code, you should enter it into the system or click on a link to authorize the transaction. In this way, no one will be able to access your data without your permission.
Today’s cards support this functionality to a large extent. As a result, you should always be diligent about activating it as soon as you receive the card.
Encryption of Data
Data encryption is supported by most smartcards. Regardless of the technique used, this feature makes sure that third parties cannot access your data. You may be confident that your encrypted data is secure as a result.
Invest in Functions That Are Physically Inclonable (PUFs)
These are special qualities of a card that help set it apart from other cards. In this scenario, a card will have both a cryptographic key and a distinctive identity.
The physical characteristics of the RFID chip will serve as the basis for the unique identification number. The cryptographic key will always be denied if a hacker uses a different RFID chip to copy it since the unique identifier is different.
