MK ULTRA PROJECT /// Microchips in our passports and credit cards : Are they safe ?
DIGI SECURITY (İŞNET)
U.S. passports have them. And these days, many more U.S. credit cards are starting to carry them, too.
The tiny plastic chips embedded in passports and credit cards are primarily designed to thwart fraud and counterfeiting. But they also make many credit card users and travelers uneasy about the potential for someone with prying eyes trying to steal their personal data.
Susan Levitsky, a seasoned traveler who spent a month last fall in France and Morocco, said she’s concerned. “I’ve heard that the chip allows a thief with a scanner to walk by you and scan your cards while they’re still in your purse, unless you have them in a protective case.”
While her credit cards and passport aren’t new enough to contain a microchip, the Cameron Park resident said she’s feeling “the pinch” of needing to be prepared.
How big a worry?
The chip technology is different between passports and most credit cards.
With credit cards, the tiny chip contains encrypted data that is activated only when the card is inserted into a designated “smartcard” reader, such as at a store or restaurant. So fears of having someone “skim” your microchipped credit card are largely unwarranted, security officials say.
Passports, however, use a different technology known as RFID (or Radio Frequency Identification), the same type used to tag clothing, pets, even artificial replacements for hips and knees. When embedded in a U.S. passport, the chip can be scanned only by someone at close range with an RFID reader, usually within a couple feet.
While there’s valid concern about having your microchipped passport “skimmed” by a tech thief, actually having it happen is unlikely, some security officials say.
“Yes, someone nearby could read what’s in your wallet. That’s why I keep my passport in an RFID-shielded wallet,” said G. Mark Hardy, president of National Security Corp., based in Rosedale, Md., which provides cybersecurity expertise to government and corporate clients.
But, he said, “it’s less likely to happen, at this point in time, because it’s so much easier to do fraud some other way.”
Since August 2007, all U.S. passports have come embedded with an RFID chip, intended to deter fraud and improve security. The chip contains the same information as on the passport’s picture page, including a digital version of your passport photograph. (You can still use a pre-2007 passport that doesn’t contain a chip. Once your passport expires, a new one will contain an RFID chip.)
According to the federal Bureau of Consular Affairs, the passport chip is designed with security features to thwart unauthorized access. Also, it can be “read” only when the passport book is open. When the cover is shut, the information on the chip supposedly can’t be scanned by an RFID device.
Separately, a newer U.S. travel document, a wallet-sized passport card, also has a chip. It contains only an identification number, not personal information from the card itself. However, “To address concerns that passport card bearers can be tracked by this technology,” the consular bureau’s website says, “We are requiring that the vendor provide a sleeve that will prevent the (passport) card from being read while inside it.”
Hammering away
Don’t like that passport chip? There are plenty of suggestions online by those who don’t like the idea of having an electronic chip that could be compromised. Some suggest microwaving your passport to deactivate the chip (although at least one user warned that the chip’s metal could cause microwave sparking.) Others suggest taking a hammer to the passport’s backside, smashing the chip.
If your chip is disabled, intentionally or not, your passport is still valid, even if it’s singed or a little beat up.
But it’s not a good idea, security officials say. “I don’t recommend microwaving a passport. Leave the chip there,” said Hardy, who recently started a new company, CardKill.com, that helps credit card companies identify stolen credit cards and deactivate them instantly.
When traveling, Hardy uses an RFID-shielded wallet that he bought at a hacker convention. “It means that anybody who tries to pull the signal won’t make it through. It’s like insulation.”
U.S. passport officials say it’s illegal to tamper with a passport’s chip, even if the intent is not fraudulent. It’s a criminal offense to “alter” a passport and could lead to penalties. According to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, “Any degradation of the passport book may lead to invalidation of that book.”
Some consumers figure it’s just easier to stick a credit card or passport in a fraud-proof case, just in case. Travel companies, for instance, offer “RFID-shielded” wallets or tiny cases like those used to carry business cards, often containing aluminum. Companies like REI sell thin, waterproof RFID-blocking sleeves – $6.50 for three – that are intended to protect credit and debit cards.
Several years ago, a Consumer Reports writer described making her own RFID-proof case using duct tape and aluminum foil.
For veteran traveler Levitsky, once her credit card and passport are chipped, she plans to keep them encased in a protective cover.
“Why would I want to be sitting on a (travel) bus and give it all away?” she said. “Bad guys are out there.”
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Stephen Bullard
We shot a commercial for the “Crash The Superbowl Challenge” currently entitled Hi-Ho Doritos. It can be viewed on the Doritos Crash The Superbowl Website at http://crashthesuperbowl.doritos.com/gallery/submission/1748 well as on YouTube at http://youtu.be/qFG1JCQSZpQ
Daryl Brown stars as himself, during a book-signing of his real-life publication, “My Father the Godfather”. Daryl just completed a nation-wide book tour which encompassed an 8 week journey logging more than 20,000 miles around the United States, and over 150 Media interviews. Stops included CNN, FOX, WGN, SIRIUS Radio among a long list of additional media outlets. Daryl also appeared at more than 50 bookstores around the country.
After all that, Daryl flew over to New York to work with Stephen Bullard, CEO and Executive Producer of All Er Nothing Productions to create Hi Ho Doritos.
Stephen Bullard of All Er Nothing Productions LLC, is the Executive Producer, Director and Author of this commercial.
Daryl Brown Bio: Music icon James Brown's son Daryl Brown was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey and grew up with a very clear understanding of who his father was…James Brown,
The Godfather of Soul. Daryl played on countless James Brown smash hit songs and twice toured the world with his dad. Daryl has appeared on Jay Leno, David Letterman, BET, MTV and The American Music Awards to mention a few. Daryl has appeared in films such as Jackie Chan's “The Tuxedo” and more. Daryl is an artist, songwriter, musician and producer who is not just the son of music's most prolific artist, James Brown, but a shining star in his own right. Daryl took a little time away after the sudden passing of his father, best friend and mentor. However, Daryl is ready and poised to take the world by storm!
In July 2014, Daryl authored a book about his legendary dad “My Father the Godfather” and just completed the first phase of his book tour which encompassed an 8 week journey logging more than 20,000 miles around the United States. Daryl’s book was consistently number 1 on Amazon under Ethnic and Ethnic International during the months of August 2014 and September 2014. The book has done extremely well at book stores, typically selling around 100 copies per signing event.
Waldorf Publishing has partnered with The Fender Music Foundation and will be donating 5% of all book proceeds to the foundation.
Contact Jahnavi Newsom to request an interview with Daryl Brown and Stephen Bullard.
WaldorfP...@gmail.com512 202 2511Twitter: @WaldorfPress, Facebook: Waldorf Press
www.MyFatherTheGodfather.com, ISBN: 9781633150829, the book is available in the Ingram Catalog
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