Near Field Communikation (NFC) What is NFC precisely and what are its benefits?Communication uses familiar RFID technologies which are extremely widespread today. The most well-known is the 13.56 MHz based ISO-14443 standard, which is normally used for access control. LEGIC advant and MIFARE use this standard.All sensitive data is stored separately in a security chip (Secure Element) which is protected against unauthorised reading or manipulation. This technology therefore satisfies the highest security standards. Use PIN or signature for additional authorisation e.g. as is standard for payment functions.NFC technology is available in most smartphones. These units also have an (almost) permanent Internet connection these days which can be used for 'Live' data transfer. Credit cards, customer cards and access cards can be blocked immediately in an emergency. If they are found again or if a replacement unit is bought, all cards are simply reloaded onto your mobile. The customer receives personalised advertising based on his or her actual location or activity.
e.g. on entering a hotel room you might be informed that it is 'happy hour' in the hotel bar.In future it will be possible to calculate and pay for exact routes on public transport, e.g. buses, trains, underground etc. The passenger enters the start and end of the journey by mobile phone and the cheapest possible ticket is automatically calculated and paid for in the blink of an eye.Connection can be made by holding a Bluetooth headset near your mobile phone. You can do the same e.g. in a hotel room to connect to the Internet via WiFi. Hold your phone close to the WiFi symbol briefly. The access codes are exchanged and the connection is made.Hotel guests can automatically download their room key direct to their mobile phone on the day of arrival, no need to queue. Subscribe to our free e-newsletter, and get new tips every two weeks.› Chinese New Year holiday notice:› ADEL Advertises on China Hotel (Issue VIII)› ADEL Advertises on China Hotel (Issue VII)› Welcome to Visit us at HOFEX 2013 Hotel International Exhibition in Hong Kong› Notification of 2013 Chinese New Year Holiday
Can't read the text above?Try another text or an audio CAPTCHAText in the box:What's this?Recent reports have highlighted some major concerns about the security and reliability of near field communications, specifically surrounding the technology’s use in mobile phones. The risks become particularly worrisome in instances where NFC technology is used in conjunction with an app, or other downloadable software, as a means of mobile payment. “As with credit cards, the sensitive financial data stored on mobile phones will become targets for thieves and the unscrupulous. The upside, though, is that the security of NFC-enabled phones could be quite good, or at least no worse than a credit card,” says Harley Geiger in an article for cdt. He goes on to say that it is up to device manufacturers and service providers to ensure that protections, such as strong cryptography and authentication protocol, are in place for NFC transactions. While NFC’s short read range (maximum of 20 cm) provides some security against transaction interference, there is still concern that it may be possible to steal data from an NFC system from a greater distance, with the use of an antenna.
However, Stacy Cowley of CNN Money notes that NFC’s required proximity of functionality poses a huge obstacle to potential hackers: “The big challenge for would-be NFC hackers is proximity. NFC signals have a tiny range that typically covers just a few centimeters. An attacker has to get very, very cozy with you and your devices to successfully transmit anything malicious.” 2. Spyware or Malware Interference Another concern is “man-in-the-middle” attacks, in which a hacker may be able to transfer a form of spyware or malware onto a phone through an interaction with that device. The affected device would then infect other devices it comes in contact with later. “Anti-virus software and operating system architecture that controls flow of information between applications will be important safeguards to mitigate such attacks,” says Gieger. With no shortage of anti-spyware software currently available on the market, it is unlikely that this will remain an issue for long.
Perhaps the biggest risk in NFC technology is a lack of consumer education. Gieger says, “Studies indicate that most consumers do not understand current risks and are not diligent about the security of their phones.” Gieger also cites a survey by Ponemon Institute that indicates that less than half of consumers protect their mobile devices with passwords or key locks and less than a third have considered installing anti-virus software. In contrast to the concerns surrounding NFC’s use in mobile payments, it is important to keep in mind that NFC technology can be used in numerous other applications, many of which present little or no risk to consumers. Zaptap uses NFC technology as a tool to create an augmented shopping experience. In this application, there is no exchange of personal, financial, or banking information. Zaptap is one of a few products that use NFC technology to connect consumers with a webpage featuring product information. There are no apps to download and nothing to install.
[Editor’s note: the author is the CEO of ZapTap.] 2. More Tech Companies Are Getting On Board Current NFC concerns don’t seem to bother tech companies, like Apple, who continue to embrace the new technology. According to an article by stuff.tv, Apple is working on a patent for an “NFC-infused iPhone which can connect to a multitude of devices and become a powerful controller.” This will make millions of iPhone users happier, as it will enable them to get in the game with the wonders of NFC. Of course, having Apple adopt such technology also shows the value in it and how secure it will be. With a company like theirs, privacy and security are always top of mind. Likewise, RIM remains an advocate of NFC, with a goal of incorporating the technology into every one of their upcoming products. Google also continues to support NFC technology, as indicated in its recent unveiling of the revamped Google Wallet, according to Dan Balaban in an article for NFC Times. Balaban also says, “The card accounts will be stored on Google’s servers.
But for the in-store purchases, Google will link these credit and debit card accounts to a virtual MasterCard card number stored on the secure element in NFC phones that support the wallet.” This virtual card number will be called the “Google Wallet ID.” 3. Quick and Easy Access In the not-so-distant future, NFC technology could eliminate the need to carry a bus pass, loyalty cards, hotel keys, and event tickets. merce, Travis Robertson says: “I don’t know about you, but I’m more likely to leave the hotel without my key than I am to leave without my smartphone. My phone is attached to me. Soon, we will be able to check in on our mobile devices and download a virtual key (read: data) to our phones. Rather than using those plastic key cards, we’ll simply walk up to our hotel room door and tap our phones against an NFC-enabled door to gain access to our rooms.” Robertson also envisions the rental car and airline baggage check processes working in a similar fashion and places an emphasis on the possibility of a tracking system that would allow airline passengers to “see” where their bags are at all times, expediting the return of any misplaced luggage.