Passport Alert

Beware RFID-Equipped Passports: A Terrorist Beacon

World governments, with the United States in the lead, are tripping over one another to issue their citizens passports equipped with radio-frequency identity (RFID) chips.
RFID passports are billed as a breakthrough in border security. But in fact, they're a disaster waiting to happen. These "innovations" are really a terrorist beacon for anyone unfortunate enough to be carrying one.
The problem with RFID chips is that the data that resides on them can be read from a distance, without your knowledge or consent. In theory, this makes it possible for terrorists or criminals to scan passports from a distance, identifying prospective targets to rob or attack.
To address these concerns, most countries that issue RFID passports, including the United States, include a radio shield to prevent the chip from being read when the passport is closed. The data on the chip is also encrypted. These innovations are supposed to prevent long-distance surveillance when your new passport is closed, and when your passport is open, since anyone who doesn't have the key won't be able to read the data.
However, in the real world, hackers have already broken the encryption codes used to secure passport data. What's more, hackers have demonstrated they can read data on an RFID chip from nearly 70 feet away, without specialized equipment. The parts necessary to do this are available on the Internet for as little as $20. With specialized equipment, the eavesdropping range is significantly longer.
It's even possible to clone a RFID passport chip (this has already been done with a U.K. passport). The cloned chip, which contains, at minimum, your name, date of birth, place of birth and your digitized photo, can be used then be used to produce an exact replica of the passport, complete with a digital photograph.
It's a federal crime to tamper with a U.S. passport, but that hasn't stopped some recipients of RFID-equipped passports from trying to deactivate the chip. Placing the passport in the microwave for a few seconds reportedly works, but leaves telltale scorch marks. Naturally, I have to advise you to comply with the law-but I could hardly blame anyone for trying to deactivate the terrorist beacon in their pocket.