How to Protect Your RFID Enabled Passport Washington DC

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.

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