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Can ID Scanners Be Fooled?Nowadays, cards are getting smart with a whole lot of information being embedded on to them using high-technology tools such as magnetic strips, 2D barcodes and even computer chips. Naturally, if the storage of information is getting sophisticated, the reading or scanning of such information should keep pace too, and hence, many types of Identity card scanners are available in the market to read different cards. Technologies used to make ID cardsTo understand the functions and the usefulness of card scanners, we must first understand the technology that makes the cards tick. Here is a brief roundup:Magnetic strip technology: Magnetic strips are normally seen at the back of credit cards or on a driver's license. The magnetic strip holds a limited amount of encoded personal data (3 tracks). Data on magnetic strips cannot be encrypted. 2D Barcodes technology: You might have seen the barcodes printed on products in supermarkets. These are called 1D barcodes that hold information regarding the product and its price. 2D barcodes hold more data (2k bytes to be specific) than the 1D barcodes and are used to store personal information and, maybe, a mug shot. In some cases they may hold biometric data. The data is stored in two dimensions and can be encrypted. In America, more than half the states use 2D barcodes on drivers' licenses. The American military uses them as well. Computer chip technology (Smart cards): Cards that have a computer chip embedded in them for information storage are referred to as smart cards. A card based on this technology holds much more information than both the magnetic strip card and the 2D barcode card put together. There is enough storage space on the chip to accommodate even biometric information. Another advantage is that these cards provide better security control checks. Smart cards can be of two types: (i) Contact smart cards and (ii) Contact-less or proximity smart cards. In the former type the embedded computer chip is generally made of gold, in order to make electrical contact with the card reader by physically touching it. The latter type uses a silicon chip with some RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags embedded into it. This does not require physical touch with the card reader, only physical proximity, hence the name. Types of card scanners, their advantages and disadvantagesElectronic data capture (EDC) scanners: These scanners, commonly used for credit card authentication, read the information contained in the magnetic stripes found at the back of the credit card and transmit it to a central database which then gives clearance on the credit card. They are the most basic type of card scanners. They are very easy to use and are used by almost every shop owner. One of their disadvantages is that they can easily be hacked into. Also, they have very little storage space to fit in all the necessary data. 2D barcode readers: 2D barcode card readers or barcode scanners are based on the same principle as the EDC machines. The advantages that a 2D barcode reader has over the EDC machine is that as 2D barcodes contain more data than magnetic strips, a 2D barcode scanner verifies the additional data, making the security system a little more tighter. Contact smart card scanners: They are used to read smart cards by making physical contact between the chip and the scanner, hence the name contact smart card scanner. These smart card scanners are quite expensive compared to the previous two types. This is one drawback of using smart card technology. Contact-less or proximity smart card scanners: A contact-less smart card reader does not make physical contact with the chip on the card; here the contact is established by using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. Since there is no physical contact between the card and the scanner, there is no wear and tear, either of the card or of the scanner. The proximity smart card reader picks up the radio waves emitted by the RFID tags in the card and carrying the cardholder's information, and determines whether or not an access should be granted to a facility or an activity. The advantages of these card systems are that they are like zip-zap-zoom. No waiting. And that is really useful in sensitive offices that need to give immediate security clearances. Apart from being terribly expensive, contact-less smart card scanners have one more drawback. In principle, a sophisticated thief with a sophisticated reading machine can scan through the information on a card from a distance (maybe just standing behind you) and use it for his own benefit. Id card software thus has its drawbacks Related ArticlesKeeping Intruders At Bay With Finger Scanning TechnologyRetina Scans for better security Door Security Alarms To Determine Unwanted Entry Finger Key, Hand Key and Hand Reader for better access control and security |
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