RFID credit cards fail basic security checks

According to the New York Times, credit card companies claim data on credit cards should have 128-bit encryption but most haven't.

Often the cardholder's name and other data are being transmitted without encryption and in plain text.

The cards can be scanned with some fairly basic radio gear worth about $150, the Times hacks claim. The data can be sniffed from the card through clothes, purses and wallets.

The card companies reckon "most" of the data is encrypted. However there is the piffling matter of privacy, and the fact that a complete stranger can know who you are, even if you lack introspection about yourself.

The Times story is carried on news.com . µ