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January 4, 2006
The duct tape wallet - a sign of the times
RFID-laced credit cards with names like "Blink" and "ExpressPay" are in the mail, and concerned consumers are fighting back--with duct tape. Yikes!
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and an enterprising tech type has come up with a duct-taped, aluminum foil wallet that promises to keep invasive radio waves from siphoning card data--though you might have to suffer with an oozing, gooey back pocket on steamy days. Anyone familiar with the properties of duct tape can get a mental snapshot of that pending laundry disaster.
Here's a better idea: send back the spychipped cards. Yep. Just refuse them. We've been told that credit card companies will send you the familar low-tech mag striped cards if you insist. Better still, switch credit card companies in protest and opt to use anonymous cash whenever possible.
Cash: use it or lose it.
Liz McIntyre
Posted by liz at January 4, 2006 1:49 AM
Comments
Posted by: at January 7, 2006 6:34 PM
RFID is a great technology. I think you are wrong trying to get the world away from this great invention. People are worried about these chips and the information they can contain. Not that the chip is being used. Every time I get a new bank card or credit card I am not going to go through the trouble of asking for a card with a mag stripe on it or canceling and opening up yet another account with another bank that WILL end up using this technology. There MUST be a way that we can protect the information so that everyone can't see it or get to it. And as of right now if that solution is alluminum foil or duct tape I will use it if need be.
Posted by: Angie at January 9, 2006 8:41 PM
Tinfoil?
http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2005/11/the_security_of_1.html
And who wants a duct tape wallet? How about using your existing wallet and a simple insert?
Posted by: Bryan at January 9, 2006 11:49 PM
[Note: This comment contains advertising/promotional content not condoned by the blog editors.]
Duct tape - rediculous. Zappers - may cause you more problems if chips reside in ID cards etc.
WalletGard inserts, invented by an RFID tech holding 4 US patents for tags and readers, secure any type, size or style wallet from unauthorized reading. Additionally, passport and briefcase protection available upon request.
Posted by: Mike Blama at January 12, 2006 12:58 PM
I would just get an insert but I don't see why a bit of copper mesh or foil wouldn't be as effective.
Posted by: Noid at January 30, 2006 9:04 PM
Liz,
Keep up zee great work. Let's do away with credit cards except for Emergencies..... I've lived the greater part of my life without Credit
Cards. I had a card up till Feb. 2005, screw them
PERIOD... Let's start a PUBLIC COMSUMERS Advocacy Group that will infact Help the Consumer
to IDENTIFY which "ADDS" we will support & promote, verus the "adds which Big Business rams
down the Consumers throats." Why should the say
so be just left up to a Government agency!!
Let's slow this COMPUTERIATION DOWN to a walk instead of Thursting full speed into SUPER Hi-tec
Yours in good conscience of FREEDOM,
NORVAL F. BRYANT..........
Posted by: BRYANT N.F. at April 28, 2006 8:19 PM
When the law enforcers use EMP/microwave weapons on the people (supposed to be non-lethal but just makes your skin feel like it's on fire) will your chipped clothes, shoes, and wallet catch on fire?
If chips catch fire in the microwave, at least they can be put out fairly rapidly with a handy fire extinguisher or some water. Take your scorched clothes/shoes/etc. and wear them proudly! Now that's a fashion statement!
What is the biggest microwave available? Are portable micrwaves available? Makita?
Posted by: Kerry McCarthy at July 11, 2006 10:22 PM
The cheapest bet rather than replace you wallet is to get the rfid blocking card sleeves that Identity Stronghold sells. They are pretty cheap compared to a whole new wallet. They have passport sleeves too. Their site is www.idstronghold.com
Posted by: Walt at September 12, 2006 2:19 PM