Should I buy a RFID Wallet or Purse to Protect my new Credit Card?
Category
Awareness
Risk Level
If you’ve received a new credit card in the past year or so, you may have seen a symbol on it that looks like the Wi-Fi logo (check out the picture above for an example). If so, that means your credit card is a contactless credit card powered by RFID technology.
“RFID what now?”
Radio Frequency Identification, or RFID, has been around for a while now. Many companies use it to track items during manufacturing, transportation, or even inventory control. RFID is usually seen in the form of tags or stickers that can send information about the product they are attached to. This technology is now being implemented in other places, like credit cards, to make transactions easier and more secure. You may also see it in other forms of identification, like your passport or Global Entry card.
In addition, these benefits are being implemented in another form called Near-Field Communication, or NFC. This is the technology you may find in your phone that powers Apple Pay and Google Pay (formerly Android Pay). It’s very similar to RFID, with the main difference being that it can send AND receive information.
“I have one of those cards and I’ve seen wallets and purses meant to protect them at the store. Should I buy one?”
In short: no. Cybersecurity is about managing risk, and while you could buy a more expensive wallet or purse to protect your card, no one to date has hacked a contactless credit card or your phone for your credit card information. Even if you were the target of a highly sophisticated hacker, and they stole your credit card information via a method called “RFID skimming,” you are covered by your credit card company for any fraudulent transactions that may occur. These products are not worth your money.
“OK so what should I do?”
If for some reason you’re travelling to a disputed area of the world, or suspect you’re the target of spies, some good old tin foil wrapped around your items will stop any and all attempts to steal your information.
But better yet, take that money you would waste on a new RFID blocking wallet or purse, and purchase a subscription for a password manager. When we look at the current cybersecurity risk to you, passwords are the. number. one. risk. So do something about it today, and if you’re looking for more information on password managers, check out the link to our previous ACT post about it.
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