On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 16:33:38 +0800, Mike <[email protected]>
    >Actually, its rather easy to read from a distance, using a standard
    >reader and parabolic dish.
Even easier to shield by just wrapping the passport in
foil, Americans after all are the 'can do' people.

Anzov <[email protected]> wrote:

    >
    > I would hazzard a guess that if the RFID-Seeking Weapons are anything like
    > as accurate as the Smart Bombs used on Iraq then the safest place to be
    > would be near someone with an American Passport.

Only if the terrorist cares enough to only take out the person with the
American Passport and not everyone in the vicinity.

Unfortunately, I have yet to see any evidence that terrorists (as a
whole) care about only attempting take out their intended target.

Mxsmanic wrote:

    > Bob Ward writes:
    >
    >
    >>Someone has a fundamental misunderstanding about how RFID actually
    >>works. An inexpensive electronic reader will only be able to read the
    >>unique ID code assigned to that specific RFID chip. Without access to
    >>the massive database that contains the actual passport information,
    >>the kidnappers will only see that there is a tag within reading
    >>distance with a unique code of (for example)"Xqa39((l+$2@"
    >
    >
    > It should also be possible to develop an inexpensive device that will
    > fry the RFID chip, making it necessary to verify the passport by hand.
    > Even some natural environments might do this. A microwave oven will do
    > this but it will overheat the RFID chip, possibly setting fire to its
    > container. An EMP will do it. Lightning nearby can do it.
    >
    > One could also carry the passport in a sealed metal case, effectively
    > isolated it from any type of reader at any distance.
    >
If you Google RFIDs, you'll see that someone has demonstrated how to
reprogram them.