How to Protect Your RFID Enabled Passport Greensboro NC

Since 2006, the United States has started issuing passports with an RFID chip in them. European and select other countries had them longer. The problem is that your personal data can get read from your passport at a distance, without anyone ever opening, touching, or even coming close to your passport.

Local Companies

DGray Travel & Associates
336-299-4164
4826-A High Point Rd
Greensboro, NC
DGray Travel
336-299-4164
6 Rosecliff Ct
Greensboro, NC
A Way To Go Travel
336-855-0060
4205-C West Wendover Avenue
Greensboro, NC
Cruises Taylormade
(336) 271-4001
2611 Liberty Rd
Greensboro, NC
Navigant International Inc
(336) 273-0887
1103 N Elm St Ste 300
Greensboro, NC
Welborn Ted Travel
(336) 852-1733
4004 S Rockingham Rd
Greensboro, NC
Carolina Motor Club
(336) 852-0506
14 Oak Branch Dr Ste A
Greensboro, NC
Classic World Travel
(336) 954-7700
Greensboro, NC
Goforth Travel
(336) 852-9978
4508 W Market St
Greensboro, NC
Barnett Tours
(336) 292-7477
3108 Watauga Dr
Greensboro, NC

Provided By:

Steps

  1. Determine if your passport has an RFID chip in it. If on the cover there is a rectangle with a circle and a line through it, then it definitely contains an RFID chip and can be read from a distance.
  2. Decide if you want to merely be passively cautious, actively protect your data, or permanently disable the RFID chip in your passport.
  3. If you want to be cautious:
    • The passport cover will provide some shielding to the RFID chip inside. However, it does no good if it is open.
    • If you carry your passport around loosely in your purse, make sure you store it so that it is closed. Even a slightly opened passport increases the ability to have its chip read.
    • When carrying your passport in your pocket, make sure it is closed
  4. If you want to actively protect our data:
    • Get a shielded case for your passport and use it actively whenever you travel with your passport
    • Alternatively, you can wrap your passport in aluminum foil. This works just fine, but is not convenient and quite unsightly
  5. If you want to disable it permanently:
    • Microwave your passport for a couple seconds - this will fry the chip.
    • If you can determine exactly where the chip is, a sharp blow of a hammer will disable it

Tips

  • RFID Shielding Products:
  • http://www.emvelope.com/products/show/7
  • http://www.rfid-shield.com/
  • http://www.magellans.com/store/New_Products___Fall_2008___Travel_EssentialsLB192?Args=
  • http://www.passport-stronghold.com/products.html

Warnings

  • Physically damaging your passport is probably against the law of the country that issued it. While it will be close to impossible to determine whether or not you intentionally defaced your passport, you should bear this in mind.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Protect Your RFID Enabled Passport. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Featured Local Company

DGray Travel & Associates

336-299-4164
4826-A High Point Rd
Greensboro, NC
www.dgraytravel.com

Related Local Events
Autism Grass Roots Tour
Dates: 10/21/2009 - 10/21/2009
Location: The Enrichment Center
Winston Salem, NC
View Details

Autism Grass Roots Tour
Dates: 10/20/2009 - 10/20/2009
Location: Extraordinary Ventures
Chapel Hill, NC
View Details