Rfiddler zapper kills RFID tags dead, the hard way
By Donald Melanson 
posted December 24th 2009 5:41AM
posted December 24th 2009 5:41AM
Sure, there may be a number of relatively easy ways to destroy or disable an RFID tag (tossing it in the microwave, for instance), but where's the fun in that? There are plenty of good times to be had with this so-called "Rfiddler" built by Codeninja though, which disables tags (and potentially anything else in its sights) by emitting a strong electromagnetic field -- not to mention some sounds that will cause anyone standing in its vicinity to take a few big steps back. Head on past the break for a video, and hit up the link below for the complete parts list if you're interested in building your own.
Nice but making it look like a gun isn't always ideal, I like the spirit though
@Wwhat
What are you talking about?
The war on RFID has just begun. Making it a gun is the best way to combat this threat. It looks nothing like a conventional weapon and has some crazy sound effects to boot, so I don't think anyone will be mistaking this for a real gun.
They might not mistake it for a gun but they might 'rationalize' a good tasering with that 'it looked threatening', or meddle with you when you transport it, and it's a bit big too.
I'm not sure they won't be freaked at airports for instance, an electrical device that also looks like a gun, and you can't then say 'it's for zapping RFID' since they love those RFID.
@Wwhat I don't think it matters if it looks like a gun. Any homemade electronics would probably warrant you getting pulled aside for a personal through screening.
@r34p3r
as long as you don't go wielding it in the streets of detroit, or a rake...
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/aug2000/det-a31.shtml
@unruly OMFG! Detroit cops are friggin' nuts!
@r34p3r
I've heard of wallets looking EXACTLY like guns to trigger-happy cops. The result - 'justifiable' homicide.
@Wwhat how does one reload.. i mean it did go from 64-63
Cool gun. Though under the Patriot Act this guy can probably be labelled a terrorist and thrown in jail for making a Passport Gun.
Dear Government,
Please embed vulnerable RFIDs in more of our daily life.
@Strangefate
It's a german Reisepass (vor international travelling) and one have to pay 50€ for a new one... Hope it was his own, i'd be very angry.
@morsch
I actually didn't even watch the video until now.
US passports also have RFID tags in them. Though it's oddly comforting to know that Germany is as stupid as us in this regard.
The US mandates enhanced security like that for all travelers to/through US airspace under the 'trusted nations' or something like that agreement, basically the EU has RFID in passports because the US asked it, not because the EU people want/need them.
And since many people hate the US since the bushes and would not travel to the US anyway and as a protest to the growing fascist little rules their own government tries to push decide to destroy their RFID.
Meanwhile EU travelers still have to get a visa AND get fingerprinted and scanned when arriving in the US (another reason why many people avoid the us, they feel they are treated like criminals)
Point being that you can destroy the RFID in EU passport without having too much consequences unless you try to travel to the US.
@Wwhat
When I said scanned I meant have their face/iris scanned into a computer db
@Wwhat Wait. So what you're telling me is that not all europeans are criminals?
@Wwhat I agree, It is not a nice process arriving in the USA for the first time...
I've heard of europeans who absolutely had no issue with the US after one visit be soured enough to decide to not go there again, just from the general experience the TSA brings, I mean not only is it unwelcoming but it's a first impression and those tend to stick and colour your view.
On the other hand there are people who absolutely don't care either way, but then the question becomes: do you want uncaring foreigners in the country more than ones that are more human?
@Wwhat
Forget that we have a Dem in charge now? He's closer to socialist than facist. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_spectrum
this is bad ass destroy insecure rfids ;)
@Bman
Shoot this at someone's wallet! Destroy any credit cards and other such vulnerable data contained within :)
Soooo, I stick a bit extra power into this, add a better uni-directional transmitter... And then I proceed to forget it in some major retail shop so that all those lovely teenagers no longer have to worry about those pesky tagged items and the shops security ? :D
Not that it could not be done before easily, but wooo for bringing it to peoples attention.
@Tenchi
That's their own fault for relying on such insecure "security".
@phoomp
*grin* Don't mind me I am all for it :D
I am just busy looking at components on rs catalog to make one smaller and more powerful.
@Tenchi
Those shopping tags on the items at a store are magnetic, not RFID. Seriously, rip apart an anti theft strip from a DVD you brought at Wal-Mart and you see nothing electronic in it.
This is the coolest and most practical device on engadget ever. EVER.
Am I the only person here who really wants one?
Now only if this could be used to disable the thumping douche bad in the car next to me.
@Steveorevo A thumping douche bag? Now THERE is a gadget worth reporting on. Sounds uncomfortable, though.
@Steveorevo you hit the nail on the head. I would pay $500 for a discrete in-car device that would blow up subwoofers on any car within 20 feet. I say EMP the DBs!
whats an rfid tag?
oh you
@AM321CAN
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=RFID+Tags
@OG Phenix
Thanks OG
Are you the Real OG?
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=the+real+og
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=RFID+Tags
When I worked in radio, back in the 80's, anyone foolish enough to leave their wallet or watch laying around got treated to a trip to the very powerful degauzer. No more credit cards, and watches stopped dead.
Well people have issues with RFID because it can be read from a distance, against their will or without them knowing even, a magnetic strip is much more under the user's control and so doesn't cause the discontent.
@joelaf wow you are brilliant, destroying other peoples property, i wish i was you
@Sheppard
I didn't say I did it. In fact, I lost one very nice watch to that practice. About 50% of the on-air staff were major coke heads, and thought everything was funny.
So, if ENGADGET falls silent over the next few days, we'll all know that some dope brought his five-year-old to the Engadget Christmas party and lost sight of him for a minute or two... oops.
haha looks like a mad max gun xD
Will this also sterilize people?
Making some soylent green this xmas?
@whiskers Well, for people who who have RFIDs in their balls it could work...
why do i have this desire to create two dozen of them. then paint them red and blue. give them to kids to play "laser tag" in Union Sq. in a metropolitan city?
Why should i want to destroy RFIDs?
And where do i find them?
Don't worry, they'll find YOU.
@Wwhat
In Soviet Russia...
I think all those soviets are now in western 'thinktanks' ;)
I wouldn't get that thing to close to my brain, or my nuts for extended periods of time. Probably end up with flipper babies.
Fry: OW My Sperm!... Do it again.
Bender: Okay.
Fry: Hmm. Nothing.
@Teslanaut You win