| Bloomfield,
CT 06002 |
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August
16 2005 |
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e-Passport |
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Since
identity theft has been on the rise in many forms, the State
Department has finalized new electronic passports, according to
USA Today.
The passports will be tamper-proof embedded with a
"smart-card" chip. Frank Moss, deputy assistant
secretary of State, said that U.S. diplomats would use the
e-passport as a test, probably starting in December of this year.
If current plans take place, they will become standard issue for
U.S. travelers in February 2006.
According to USA, the chip's data shown in the illustration can't
be altered. Therefore, proponents say, forging passports will be
virtually impossible. This will give authorities a "potent
new anti-terrorism weapon."
However, once the new version is available, it would take up to a
year for all new passports to be issued in the new format.
Americans with valid traditional passports will not have to
replace them until they expire.
There is a hike in cost. The new passport will cost $97, or $12
more than the traditional version. When swiped across an
electronic reader, the chip in the passport wirelessly transmits
data to a customs officer's computer screen. The e-passport relies
on radio frequency identification technology (RFID).
The Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act require the
USA and other countries whose citizens don't need visas for
entering the USA to develop electronic passports.
The act set a deadline of October 2004. However, the Bush
administration asked Congress to delay the deadline to October
2006 to allow participating countries more time to address
technical issues.
The article by Roger Yu, USA Today states that the e-passport
raises concerns among critics that it lacks privacy safeguards.
Wireless transmission of data compromises security and important
personal data could fall into the wrong hands. With proper
equipment, someone could remotely intercept personal data.
In an article that I wrote on London Security, some intruders had
intercepted ATM machines and raided private accounts. One consumer
I spoke to in London lost $2,500 by an intruder with a remote
camera.
The new U.S. electronic passport will look like its predecessor in
size and shape, although it will be slightly thicker. Photos of
owners will be included.
According to USA Today, this is what will happen at passport
control.
- The office swipes the data page through a special reader to read
the two lines of printed characters on the bottom of the data
page. This provides a key that is unique to the passport and lets
the process proceed.
- When the passport is held over the reader (no contact is
necessary), a radio field from the reader wakes up the chip, and
the encrypted data is transferred to the reader, allowing the
office to conduct a visual check.
- The office holds your open passport over another reader, then
checks a view of you, with the photo in your passport, and all the
data from your passport (including your photo) on the monitor. The
data on the monitor also verifies that your passport was issued by
a legitimate authority, and that it has not been altered.
A thin radio shield can be sandwiched between the front cover and
the first page. Whenever the passport is closed for example, in
your pocket or briefcase the digital information in the chip
cannot be read. Also the good news is that the shield will not set
off airport metal detectors.
Moss says that the agency has made technical adjustments to
address problems of eavesdropping at border checkpoints as
mentioned earlier.
The State Department is also considering adding a layer of
protection by encrypting the information so it can be read only by
authorized devices.
A software developer who is working with the State Department,
says that the e-passport will improve national security while
safeguarding traveler privacy. Also the State Department has added
a metallic anti-skimming material to the passport's cover and
spine. It limits retrieval of the data to within an inch of the
passport.
Paul Beverly of smart-card-maker Axalto, states that if the U.S.
meets its target dates for the e-passport introduction, it will be
one of the first countries to use it.
Unfortunately, I will have to wait quite awhile because my newly
issued passport does not expire until 2013.
In August, 2005, Midwest Book Review included Don't Get Ripped
Off! Get Help! Tell It to George in their Small Press
Bookwatch section.
For more information on identity theft and public safety at malls,
and other areas check out my book, Don't Get Ripped Off! Get
Help! Tell It to George on Amazon or can be ordered from major
bookstores. |
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Cynthia
Bercowetz (consumreye@aol.com)
Author/Consumer Advocate
22 Oak Lane
Bloomfield, CT 06002
Phone : 860-243-2208 |
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