1. Concerns for RFID
Hyun Joon Kim

2. RFID
• Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is
the use of a wireless non-contact system
that uses radio-frequency
electromagnetic fields to transfer data
from a tag attached to an object

3. How RFID works
• Reader unit sends the signal
• RFID tag receives the signal and turns on by the
power provided from the signal (No external
power needed!)
• RFID tag does its job and sends response back
RFID tag

4. Barcodes?
• Can identify things
(Products, ID, post office)
• Just scan the item through
scanner! Much faster than
typing numbers.
• Database is required :
Barcode itself doesn’t
contain any data about the
item
• Scanner must directly shine
the barcodes to read

5. RFID?
• No need for a database : data can be
stored inside the chip
• Communication doesn’t require the
reader device’s direct sight and it works
through materials
• Can be implanted
• Tag itself is a circuit
We can run programs!

6. Usages of RFID
Patient Management
Payment System

7. Usages of RFID

9. Security Problems with RFID
• No physical contact needed – Crackers
can easily have access to RFID chips
without physical contact
• MIFARE Classic – 48 bit key, broken by
Henryk Plötz and Karsten Nohl in 2007

10. Privacy Problems with RFID
• Entry system – Companies know what
places you went and how much time you
spent
• Payment system – Information about
what you buy can be tracked
• If GPS is embedded?

11. Case of Korea
• Deployed RFID systems for subway and
buses on 1998.
• Automatically charges distance that
person traveled and calculates the price
(Scan the tag before getting off)
• Free transfer

12. Case of Korea
• Free transfer system to other buses and
subway only for RFID chip users
• For subway system, cash payers use
disposable RFID card but still no free
transfer
• Pay about 10 cents more if you pay by
cash

13. Case of Korea
• Fast food
• Convenience store

14. Questions
• What concerns can arise if government
decides to abolish cash and use only
electronic cash?
• Security measures for current RFID
system is too weak, so should we just
abandon it to keep out hackers?
• Is it right for public transportation
companies to charge more for cash
payers like the case of Korea?

15. Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Microchip_rfid
_rice.jpg
http://www.barcode1.co.uk/images/samplejpla
rge.jpg
http://www.rotil.nl/communications/products/images/rfid_globaal.png
http://webpages.scu.edu/ftp/DGreen/rfid_cypa
k_400q.jpg
http://www.rfidjournal.com/ezimagecatalogue/
catalogue/phpNWvwbT.jpg
http://www.rfidinfotek.com/dynamic_images/1
230563462.jpg