> alan[SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > On Wed, 12 Mar 2003, Tim May wrote: > > > > Regarding TEMPEST shielding - there is another, complementary approach > > > > for > > > shielding: jamming. There are vendors selling devices that drown the > RF > > > emissions of computer equipment in noise, so TEMPEST receivers get > > > nothing. Are there any publicly available specs of such generators, or > > > even building plans? > > > > Jamming is grossly less efficient than detection. If you want an > > explanation, let me know and I'll spend 10 minutes writing a small > > piece on it. But first, think deeply about why this is so. Think > > especially about recovering signals from noise. > > It sounds like there is an opertunity here for the right person. Open up > a place to "clean your clothes" of all those little RFID tags and other > buglets people are so interested in attaching to any object (nailed down > or not). > When I posted this to Dave Farber's IP list, I added 'Maybe I should start microwaving my underwear'. I'd make an educated guess that 2-3 seconds in my Amana would fry any tag's little brains out, and when I get a chance, I'll try it.
One thing I worry about is a limited access tag - one which only responds when tickled with the right stimulus. Such a tag could be undetectable to the taggee. It's clear that a lot of the people in this thread have not followed the links in my original post. The SFGate article is quite illuminating, and lists several other companies which are tagging their goods, including Prada, and Gillette, for their Mach3 razors. Another good article is: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/25/technology/25THEF.html?ex=1047190811&ei=1&; en=304071a324b09cf5 which lists a large number of retailer pilot programs. Also, look into http://www.alientechnology.com, which is selling some of the cheapest tags - now under 10 cents. Some research is being done in RSA Labs to produce more privacy-enhanced protocols for RFIDs, but it's a long way from publication, and its unclear what would motivate a tag manufacturer to include them. The strips in current US currency are not metallic, they're polymer. If you hold them up to the light, you can see they are clear except for the printing of the denomination. Older British currancy DID include a metallic strip (I remember teasing them out back in the 70's). Peter Trei
