[LINK] spy technology

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Geoffrey Ramadan <gramadan at umd.com.au>
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 5:49 PM
Subject: Re: [LINK] spy technology

> passports have in built wire mess for protection-or use a metal sleeve).

Yes that's one point with rfid, it's 'visible' through clothing, eg,
your hotel keys, your rfid identity cards, and your area-access cards
don't need to be visible to be read. Eg some networked long-range card
readers in any public place (eg, casino retail area) and back-end grunt
running code-cracking jack-hammer scripts for rfid scanning and reading.

There's a clear financial motive, and I'd guess, in future, rfid security
protocols will become a hackers delight.

But if there was such a location of rfid invasion of privacy and property
the police would need speedy interception methods. For example, registers
of legally installed and registered long range (Eg 4W) card readers might
seem sensible for public places. Perhaps your group might be authorized to
maintain such a register, whatever. I do think we need regulation re this.

Thanks for your considered, expert information presented herewith, Reg.

> In regards to education on RFID. Try these links.
> 1) GS1 EPC Global (see standards and technology)
> http://www.epcglobalinc.org/
> 2) Go to our industry association web site.
> http://www.rfidaa.org/
> 3) The Department of Communications, Information Technology and the 
> Arts (DCITA) issued in July 2006 a RFID guide geared toward Australian 
> small to medium-sized enterprises (SME).
> http://www.rfidaa.org/templates/listDetail.jsp?id=78
> 4) You can find lots of white papers on RFID at:
> http://www.rfidjournal.com/whitepapers/
> (you will need to register)
> In particular check out "A Basic Introduction to RFID Technologies and 
> Its Use in the Supply Chain". Also provide a good technical overview.
> 
> Reg
> Geoffrey Ramadan B.E.(Elec)
> Chairman, Automatic Data Capture Association (www.adca.com.au)
> and
> Managing Director, Unique Micro Design (www.umd.com.au)
> 
> 
> Adrian Chadd wrote:
>> On Sat, May 19, 2007, Geoffrey Ramadan wrote:
>>
>>   
>>>> When did criminals stop purchasing technology because its illegal?
>>>>  
>>>>       
>>> If criminals were stupid enough to use this, they would be caught 
>>> rather quickly. Radiating at this frequency WILL interfere with the 
>>> Vodafone Mobile towers.. and since they have payed a lot of money for 
>>> this spectrum, the ACMA will be tracking them down very vigorously.
>>>     
>>
>> Then the smart criminals will be the ones that do it without getting
>> caught? This isn't anything new.
>>
>>   
>>> They may as well just purchase a legal unit locally.
>>>     
>>
>> Depends on what they're trying to achieve I guess.
>>
>>   
>>>> (The undergraduate psychologist student in me wonders what impact not
>>>> having to remember where anything is "because RFID will help you 
locate
>>>> your belongings rather quickly!" has any impact on, say, formation of
>>>> useful memory. Hmm.)
>>>>  
>>>>       
>>> This just highlights the common misconception about RFID... that you 
can 
>>> just "wave your magic RFID wand" and read everything, everywhere in a 
>>> room.... it is not going to happen.
>>>     
>>
>> No, but if I forget my keys but have a magic RFID wand, I could run it
>> over some surfaces to see whether its lurking, no?
>>
>> I'd like to understand the RFID tech a little more. Any suggested 
readings?
>>
>>

Cheers ...
Stephen Loosley
Victoria Australia