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Make an RFID-proof wallet

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the build-your-own dept.

99luftballon writes "If, like me, you're more than a little concerned about the privacy aspects of RFID there's a useful enthusiast's web page on making your own RFID-blocking wallet. OK, it's never going to win any prizes for beauty or garner fashion awards but should be effective and seems perfectly practical. "

7 of 238 comments (clear)

  1. Why would I want to do that? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Then I'd have the inconvenience of having to remove my Metro Smartrip card from my wallet everytime I enter or exit a station.

  2. uhhhh...self defeating it seams by kryonD · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So now I have to pull my rail pass out instead of just waiving my wallet or walking near the turn style...doesn't that defeat the point of the RFID objects you have inside your wallet.

    Why not just avoid getting the objects if you don't want to use them?

    --
    I've dirtied my hands writing poetry, for the sake of seduction; that is, for the sake of a useful cause. --Dostoevsky
    1. Re:uhhhh...self defeating it seams by Red+Flayer · · Score: 5, Interesting

      "Why not just avoid getting the objects if you don't want to use them?"

      Because eventually, you won't have that choice. Passports, Driver's licenses, etc, will all require RFID tags.

      --
      "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
  3. RFID proof - pah, we need women proof wallets by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 5, Funny

    My missus has a knack of emptying my wallet before I even see the contents!
    After securing your wallet against the female gender, RFID should just bounce off by default.

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  4. Shoppers Card? Ironic or silly? by gelfling · · Score: 5, Funny

    Concerned about privacy issue and the thing you're trying to protect is your VIP Shoppers card? Wow.

  5. Re:Effective, but hardly practical. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    Conventional wallet appearance means I can take out my wallet in public without looking like a gigantic nerd.
    Considering how often you get a FP on slashdot... I don't think your wallet is going to make the slighest difference ;-)
  6. Use a small metal box for your RFID cards by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    I just keep all my credit cards and RFID cards in a metal business card holder. I tested it with a RFID reader and it works just fine. Even better is to use a ground wire. At home this is no problem as I was able to make a stretch curly cable connected to the box with the other end connected to a water pipe. Outside I use a small wire running through a hole in my pocket connected to a small length of chain that drags along the ground when I walk. Be sure to make the chain long enough to bridge any insulated flooring that you might have to cross.

    I also transfered all my credit cards to plain blank cards by copying the magnetic card stripes on to blanks that I buy through a Panamanian company in bulk. Unfortunately, this has two disadvantages:

    1. It's difficult to figure out which card is which.
    2. Shop owners are often reluctant to accept my credit card.

    Thankfully, for me this is generally never a problem, because I'm almost always stay at home in my home-made Faraday cage, in order to protect myself from the NSA mind control beams.