WHY TYPICAL RFID PROTECTION IS INEFFECTIVE

As consumers have become increasingly aware of RFID fraud, a flood of products has appeared to address these concerns. All the current products are based on the same principle of shielding the RFID card from electromagnetic waves using metal foils and materials. However, in practice, this approach is susceptible to flaws. This is due to the way that electromagnetic waves propagate through space. To ensure full protection, your cards need to be fully wrapped in metal foil with no gaps or spaces. This is almost impossible to achieve. A typical wallet with metal shielding can only protect against low-power reading devices, and only at certain angles.

DANGERS OF RFID TECHNOLOGY

RFID enabled cards offer remarkable convenience and save a lot of time for both consumers and businesses. Governments pounced on this technology and introduced RFID technology in passports, IDs, driving licenses, etc. Most offices use RFID building access cards nowadays. As RFID technology has become more common around the globe, significant security concerns have also emerged. Criminals can easily acquire equipment that can access the data stored on your cards or passports from up to several meters. With this data, they can replicate your credit card, steal your identity or get access to your building.

HOW RFID SYSTEMS WORK

During a typical RFID card payment the card reader constantly transmits electromagnetic pulses (Step 1). When a RFID enabled card is in range of the card reader it receives electromagnetic waves with its antenna and converts them to electric currents (Step 2). The microprocessor generates a coded message with the payment or identity data (Step 3). which is then transmitted back to the card reader using the card’s internal antenna (Step 4).

HOW TO USE YOUR KNOT GUARD

Place your KNOT GUARD in the middle of your wallet. All RFID enabled cards will be protected within 4 cm (1.6 inches) of KNOT GUARD. Cards can be on either side of KNOT GUARD, so your wallet can be up to 8 cm (3.2 inches) thick, which should be more than enough. Now you can use your credit card normally. Just make sure to hold it at least 20 cm (8 inches) away from the KNOT GUARD.