US brings in RFID chips

Many are worried that the new passports are as secure as a Robert Maxwell pension plan and Wired magazine has been working out creative ways to destroy the passports to make users ID safe from hackers.

The magazine warns that tampering with a passport is likely to get yourself 25 years in prison and a special customs search with rubber gloves.

Washing it will probably destroy the passport and not kill the chip either. Placing it in the microwave will destroy the chip but leave scorch marks on the passport that will indicate that you have tried to kill it and will result in a move towards the rubber gloves.

Apparently the best approach is hitting the passport with a blunt, hard object. A nonworking RFID doesn't invalidate the passport, so you can still use it.

Of course if you are still worried about the rubber gloves you could just do what we have been suggesting for months and wrap your passport in tin foil.

More here. µ