After the incident of 11th September, the U.S. Govt. has forced a document called E-Passport as a measure for security. However, due to certain flaws in the technology, it could be a serious problem.
These E-Passports comprise of a Radio
Frequency Identification (RFID) chip that contains the user related data of the passport. These chips radiate a radio signals that can be read at a short distance by an electronic reader that is easily available and the whole data related to the user along with his photograph can be accessed without the user knowing about it. The data can be reused to clone the E-Passport and this cloned copy that behaves the same as original copy can be used for theft of identity.
Though the UK Home Office however dismissed the ability to get hold of the information on the chip but this may pose a major risk to your personal security. The document provides others with an easy way to access your personal data.
A European Union funded network of IT security experts has also come out against the E-Passport scheme and believes that some changes to the system can make it much better to ensure the security.
I think it is not too late to roll back and rethink the E-Passport. It should be amended with proper changes and features, otherwise a scheme, the declared aim of which is to increase our security, could well do the exact opposite.
Via: slashdot
