[Noisebridge-discuss] RFID Access System

[Ian Atha]

+ Changing Subject--Door Bell != RFID Access System.

David,

I find your concerns valid and I sympathize with them, to a certain extend.

I was wondering if you would be willing to describe to us what
measures you are currently taking to protect yourself from such
surveillance.

I have been issued credit and debit cards with mandatory RFID tags, my
work badge is using some sort of RFID technology, and I've often found
RFID tags in products I have purchased. All these, assuming the emit a
constant value when read, could be used to track an individual.

How do you currently protect yourself?

Out of curiosity, would you be concerned if someone implemented a
smart-card based system? I presume that someone motivated enough could
target the electromagnetic noise emitted by a reader reading your
smartcard--the attacker wouldn't be able to track you around the
globe, but they'd know your Noisebridge visiting patterns.

Lastly, what do you mean by "block the [...] motion". Although a
Noisebridge newbie, my understanding was that if someone is willing to
do something, they may do so. If the group decides an RFID tagging
system is unwelcome, there would have to be consensus on "ban RFID
systems from Noisebridge", no? What am I missing?

Thank you,

-ian.


On Wed, Feb 3, 2010 at 02:02, David Stainton <dstainton415 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Greetings Blaine,
>
> I've got to say that while I appreciate your enthusiasm in getting
> this doorbell problem solved I think
> RFID is a horrible technology for that purpose...
>
> I know a thing or two about RFID from hanging out with Chris Paget who
> graciously taught a couple
> of RFID workshops at Noisebridge...
>
> There is just now way I'm going to walk around with an RFID tag and I
> don't recommend anyone else do it either.
> The presence of an RFID tag can be detected from across the street or
> perhaps even farther away.
> RFID sensors could in fact be placed around the city to track the
> movements of Noisebridgers.
> Or how about a public-garbage-can that explodes when a certain number
> of Noisebridges congregate near it?
> Sound crazy? I'm sure that similar devices are being developed for
> sucka fool US passports with the new RFID tag...
>
> I will block the RFID access control motion. I will explain to all my
> Noisebridge friends my view on this matter.
> I won't be the only one to enthusiastically disagree.
>
> Please give it some thought before responding.
> BTW this seems to be your first post to the noisebridge-discuss list
> and you are suggesting this. Wow.
>
> Cheers
>
> ~david415
>
>
>
> On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 10:31 PM, Blaine Forbort <b.forbort at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I had a hell of a time getting in on Sunday.  There where a ton of people
>> near the buzzer, so I found it very odd that no one let me in.  Then a few
>> hours later someone reported that they had been buzzing for 10+ minutes, and
>> even though I was sitting near the buzzer, I only heard the buzzer go off
>> once and answered it immediately.
>>
>> I also spoke to another individual about the idea of an RFID system for the
>> gate.  The concept was very simple: a pool of RFID tags would be left at
>> Noisebridge.  You grab an RFID tag on your way out, and it would grant you
>> automatic reentry on your return.  The hardware for such a system would be
>> VERY simple; something like this:
>> http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKPX2 with a
>> microcontroller and a relay.
>>
>> The question is, would Noisebridge cover the cost of the RFID tags?  They
>> run from $1.50 to $5 each depending on what kind of chip they use (Hitag
>> would be nice so it would work with my implant).  If so, I'd be very happy
>> to help with the project.
>>
>> Blaine