And how The Ridge was designed to combat RFID skimming.
Radio-frequency identification is a process that uses electromagnetic fields to identify and track tags attached to objects. In the case of the credit cards and driver’s licenses sitting around in your wallet, these ‘tags’ contain electronically stored information that RFID readers can lift with interrogating radio waves.
That’s a long-winded way of saying that hackers can steal your info.
Anyone with an RFID reader and malicious intent can activate the chips in your wallet and ‘skim’ the information they’re designed to transmit. In some demonstrations, these RFID readers can skim entire credit card numbers from the pockets of a passerby.
So that’s where RFID-blocking comes into play.
In contrast to your dad’s old leather bifold, RFID-blocking wallets are designed to insulate your belongings from the interrogating radio waves of RFID readers. Their protective outer shell has frequency-blocking technology that greatly reduces the range that RFID readers can skim your information.
Is it important?
Take this example: At the Schmoocon hacker conference in 2012, Kristin Paget used a $50 RFID reader to skim an audience member’s credit card, encoded that information onto a blank card with a $300 dollar card-magnetizing, and used Square’s iphone attachment to pay herself 15 dollars.
Moral of the story? You’re better safe than sorry.
The tricky thing about data security is that it doesn’t seem like you need it until it’s too late. Even as credit card companies implement one-time transaction codes or the European-style chip-and-PIN system (we also think it’s annoying), taking the precautionary steps is a great way to cover your bases.
The Solution
There are a couple ways to prevent RFID theft. For one, you could wrap your cards in aluminum foil, if you’re into that sort of thing. If you like a little more officiality, there are several RFID blocking sleeves for the important cards you carry around that can be found online. You could even start carrying your wallet in your front pocket – this makes it a bit more difficult for thieves to scan your cards without you noticing.
