Like all security devices, RFID or radio frequency identification is not faultless. Despite the extensive usage and application, RFID poses a wide range of security threats and challenges to be addressed before deployment. The following write-up specifies major safety issues related to RFID. Please check them out now.
1. RFID Counterfeiting
The experts providing top-notch inventory RFID system said based on the computing power, RFID can be divided into three categories – basic tags, tags that rely on symmetric keys, and tags that rely on the public key.
As basic tags do not implement any encryption, they are counterfeited in no time. The attackers can write data to a basic black colour tag or change data already in the tag to validate an item’s authenticity.
The things that attackers generally do with basic tags include:
- They can make invalid tags into valid tags and vice versa.
- They can reduce the cost of a pricey item to purchase it at a reduced rate.
- They can change the tag of an item to another tag embedded in another item.
- They can make a tag using the information present in another tag.
Ensure the basic tag has cryptography when handling sensitive items like identity documents or passports. Have a monitoring and auditing session to pinpoint anomalies in an RFID solution.
2. Service Denial
When readers request data from the tag, it receives identification ID. The tag compares the ID with the ID stored in the main database. RFID readers and backend servers are prone to service denial attacks.
When such an attack occurs, the tag fails to verify the identity with the reader and the entire service gets disrupted. You must make sure both the database and the reader can fight against service denial attacks.
3. Physical Attack
This happens when an attacker physically procures the RFID tags and alters the data. Physical attacks happen in a wide range of ways. The attacker may use a probe to read and alter the data. He may use radial bands for destroying the data present in the tags. It is called radiation imprinting. Electromagnetic interferences can upset the communication between the reader and tags.
Anyone can remove the objects from items using a knife. This prevents the RFID reader from recognizing the objects.
4. Spoofing
The experts offering RFID inventory tracking system said in case of spoofing, the attacker pretends to be a legitimate user. Suppose the attacker accesses the system successfully with spoofed credentials. In that case, he can do whatever he wishes with the RFID data, like changing the ID, denying services, responding to illegal requests, and writing improper codes.
Even though RFID is a target of several attacks, it is gaining widespread popularity because of its cost-efficiency and low maintenance nature. If you plan to implement RFID, please do undertake the necessary preventive measures.
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