RFID technology uses radio waves for wireless object or individual identification. A device reads data from a wireless tag without physical contact or line of sight. Commercially available since the 1970s, RFID is prevalent in everyday items like car keys, employee IDs, and access cards.
The U.S. government employs two RFID types for border management: vicinity RFID (readable from 20 to 30 feet) and proximity RFID (requires close scanning). RFID cards store only a number linking to secure databases, not personal information.
The system operates through electromagnetic coupling in the radio frequency spectrum, comprising a scanning antenna, transceiver, and transponder (in the RFID tag). Readers, fixed or mobile, activate tags with transmitted signals, and tags respond with data sent back to the antenna.
RFID systems have tags and readers. Readers emit radio waves and receive signals from RFID tags. Tags, passive or active, use radio waves to convey identity and information. Passive tags are powered by readers, while active tags have batteries. RFID tags store various data, and reader systems can be mobile or integrated into structures.
RFID technology is used in various industries for various purposes, including inventory management, supply chain and logistics, access control, asset tracking, contactless payments, smart retail, healthcare, animal tracking, library management, and manufacturing. RFID tags streamline inventory tracking, reduce errors, and enhance supply chain efficiency. They also provide secure access control, real-time monitoring of valuable assets, and facilitate contactless transactions. RFID also enhances the shopping experience, reduces out-of-stock situations, and improves hospital workflow. Overall, RFID technology enhances visibility, control, and efficiency in various sectors.”
RFID technology faces security threats such as unauthorized sniffing, tracking vulnerabilities allowing unauthorized monitoring even with encryption, Denial of Service (DoS) risks disrupting both readers and backend servers, spoofing where attackers impersonate legitimate users, repudiation challenges when actions are denied without evidence, insert attacks attempting to insert unauthorized commands, replay attacks recording and reusing tag responses, physical attacks altering tags or disrupting communication, tag removal rendering objects unrecognizable, and viruses targeting databases to potentially disrupt RFID services..
Safety
Safeguard measures include mitigating database vulnerabilities, replacing RFID credit cards, using RFID-blocking accessories, and monitoring financial statements for potential identity theft.
Oreofe Odusanya, a junior Information major at Towson University, is passionate about technology and its positive impact. She has created a website to educate younger generations about the significance of Radio- Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, bridging the gap between tech-savvy individuals and those less familiar with RFID. Oreofe aims to highlight the transformative capabilities of RFID, emphasizing its relevance in daily life for efficiency, security, and convenience. Her website serves as an informative platform, reflecting Oreofe's commitment to education and her desire to empower the community, particularly the younger generation, in understanding and utilizing RFID technology. Oreofe's dedication to this project showcases her commitment to both academic and community contributions. As a junior at Towson University, she is actively shaping her academic path and inspiring others to appreciate the transformative capabilities of RFID technology. Feel free to reach out via email (GEN@gmail.com)