With the advent of more products that use RFID technology, many people have become concerned about their security. Consequently, there are quite a large number of products on the market that claim to block RFID. Let’s see how RFID blocking works.

The main types of RFID Blocking

RFID blocking systems reduce the transmitted signal power of the reader, preventing the microchip in the RFID card from working. This ensures RFID card security.  Essentially, RFID readers transmit signals which power the microchip in the card, the microchip in the card then powers up and send data back to the reader.  This can be prevented by either deflecting/blocking RFID signals, or by transmitting a signal that interferes with the reader but this only works with one frequency and often a certain type of technology.

What are radio frequency identification tags?

Contactless payment cards, ID cards, passports, key cards, and temporary cards all use the same basic technology, Radio Frequencies IDentification is commonly known as RFID. This system uses radio waves to read, transmit, and capture information stored in a tag attached to an object.

• Radio frequency identification tags can be read wirelessly from up to a few feet away.
• RF identification tag does not have to be directly within the reader’s line of sight to be read.
• Radio frequency id tags are now smaller and cheaper to produce. This is why they are now widely used.

Your contactless bank or security card and passport contain a microchip linked to an antenna. The bank cards and passports use a standard set of radio frequencies – 13.56 Mhz. 

Most RFID systems are designed to work at short-range, typically a few inches. However, cards can be read at a meter with powerful RFID readers and the real concern is 30+ meters by hackers. Thus, contactless cards are not secure. 

Passive and active RFID blocking technology. How RFID blocking works?

Generally, RFID blocking cards, shields, and protectors work in several ways. They are either passive or active. Passive shields or protectors can absorb the RFID signal or deflect it. Active RFID shields or protectors use a microchip. They typically send out an interfering signal. It is effectively pretending to be another card causing a card clash issue in the reader. Or it drains the power from the transmitting signal required to power the chip in your card. If the chip can’t receive enough power to function it can’t transmit a reply.

Deflected or absorbed RFID signals

Passive shielding works in two ways, reflective loss (bounced radio frequency energy) and absorption loss (energy/power absorbed in the shield). Both types reduce the transmitting rf signal that would power the RFID chip.

Best RFID protection technology

Therefore, to protect contactless cards, it is better to choose solutions that block all types of RFID signals.We have developed such technology. Gialer RFID blocking card will protect both types of cards. It was developed and tested in the UK and USA,.

Our RFID Contactless Blocking Cards can protect all your contactless cards against Bluetooth, Wifi, RFID and NFC, 3 and 4G mobile phone signals. RFID blocking cards protect and secure ID cards and payment cards from being hacked, skimmed, and cloned from the most powerful RFID and NFC readers at frequencies of 13.56Mhz.

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