RFID Passports
Looks like RFID passports are coming very soon for the US. It was probably just a matter of time, but in light of some of the risks in the current implementation, I thought it might be delayed. The most disturbing of the security risks (as if cloning of a passports rfid is not concerning…) is the possibility that the unshielded rfid could be used to trigger the detonation of an explosive. Since RFID is relatively short range, this means that it would be possible for terrorists to target Americans specifically by using an RFID trigger that was looking for the specific earmarks of a US Passport.
Some companies in Europe are already selling special Passport pouches that would shield the rfid signals, although the budget minded my settle for aluminum foil wrapping their passport. In Germany apparently they’ve decided that passports will still be valid even if the RFID is not working, so some have suggested microwaving passports to snuff the problem out from the start.