Study Says Chips in ID Tags Are Vulnerable to Viruses

["Richard M. Smith" <rms () bsf-llc com>]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/15/technology/15tag.html?ei=5090&en=24f421ff2
4864376&ex=1300078800&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=print
________________________________

March 15, 2006
Study Says Chips in ID Tags Are Vulnerable to Viruses 
By JOHN MARKOFF 

A group of European computer researchers have demonstrated that it is
possible to insert a software virus into radio frequency identification
tags, part of a microchip-based tracking technology in growing use in
commercial and security applications.

In a paper to be presented today at an academic computing conference in
Pisa, Italy, the researchers plan to demonstrate how it is possible to
infect a tiny portion of memory in the chip, which can hold as little as 128
characters of information. 

Until now, most computer security experts have discounted the possibility of
using such tags, known as RFID chips, to spread a computer virus because of
the tiny amount of memory on the chips.

The tracking systems are intended to improve the accuracy and lower the cost
of tracking goods in supply chains, warehouses and stores. Radio tags store
far more data about a product than bar codes and can be read more quickly.
They have even been injected into pets and livestock for identification.

...

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