Critical risk considerations in auto-ID security: Barcode vs. RFID

摘要

Automated identification (auto-ID) has been widely used in practice for more than five decades, beginning with the commercial use of barcodes in the early 1970s. More recently, since about 2003, RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) use has seen widespread adoption. While these automated identification technologies help improve convenience, effectiveness, and efficiency, associated vulnerabilities need to be carefully considered to weigh their advantages against their disadvantages. By its very nature, automated identification has the potential to expose its subject to privacy and security risks. We consider specific vulnerabilities that are associated with barcode and RFID to identify related attack scenarios and discuss means to address such risks and attacks.