Convenience has become a priority for human existence, we are all transitioning to a more technically supported lifestyle. Convenience comes with a cost and isn’t always a monetary value. You may know that your phone is constantly reaching out to antennas looking for the best signal. Well, you likely have other items that are also looking for a connection.
Modern credit and debit cards often support Near Field Communication (NFC) which is commonly referred to as ‘contactless’. You may also see this type of tech with bracelets at an amusement park or on a placard at church for tithing. Another similar technology would be Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID). This sort of technology is used for key fobs or asset inventory.
These are similar technologies that are also vulnerable to ‘Proximity Skimming’. We can quickly deduce that this requires the attacker to be in proximity, but how close? Distance from the attacking device to the victim device really depends on the sophistication of the attacker and their equipment.
Sophisticated threat actors in the proximal game are modern day pick pocketers and you will likely never know they are amongst you. They can scan your devices without you ever knowing. These skimming devices can be smaller than a tv remote or as big as a tissue box depending on style and power levels.
It’s not all doom and gloom; we can help protect ourselves with a few different items. Consider an RFID blocking wallet to store your payment cards. There are many different brands available, and it’s very possible your wallet is already blocking RFID. Additionally, when traveling or transiting, a faraday bag will protect your devices from many wireless attacks. Faraday bags completely prevent any radio wavelength from penetrating, ensuring your devices remain private.
These easy steps can help prevent threat actors from victimizing you. It’s your responsibility to take your safety and the safety of your family in your hands. Be smart, be safe.