Radio frequency identification security breach

04 July 2008

Security of a widely used radio frequency identification chip has been broken by European researchers.

The security of Oyster cards, used for the London Underground, has been put in question
The security of Oyster cards, used for the London Underground, has been put in question

The SANS Institute said researchers at a Dutch university broke the security of the Mifare RFID chip, which is used in the Oyster card, a prepaid smartcard used for travel on UK public transportation. Mifare RFID technology is also used in the UK to access government departments, hospitals and schools, according to the June 24, 2008, edition of SANS NewsBites newsletter.

The research reportedly was presented to the Dutch Parliament, which earlier this year postponed implementation of a prepaid transportation smartcard based on the same technology. The Dutch government is also replacing Mifare cards used to access government buildings, the SANS Institute reported.

Based on an article edited by Mark T. Hoske, editor in chief Control Engineering System Integration eNewsletter


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