Posted on 08/13/2009 7:03:57 AM PDT by jurroppi1
Robert Charette // Fri, August 07, 2009
The London Daily Mail published a long, interesting and disturbing story yesterday about the ease with which security experts were able to hack the supposedly "unforgeable" new UK ID card for foreign nationals and change the data within the embedded microchip within minutes.
Given that the hacked ID card uses the same technology as is to be used in National ID cards for UK residents in the next few years, the implications are obvious.
The Daily Mail says that when the UK government was told of its findings, the government dismissed them, saying,
"We are satisfied the personal data on the chip cannot be changed or modified and there is no evidence this has happened."
"The identity card includes a number of design and security features that are extremely difficult to replicate."
"We remain confident that the identity card is one of the most secure of its kind, fully meeting rigorous international standards."
I guess the Daily Mail's results don't count as "evidence" in the government's eyes. This not surprising.
Back in 2005, the ex-head of the UK spy agency MI5 Dame Stella Rimington said that National ID cards were useless, unless they were completely unforgeable, but that was unlikely since:
"all our other documentation is quite easy to forge."
The government dismissed her criticism as well.
(Excerpt) Read more at spectrum.ieee.org ...
I hope I posted this in the right area since the source is a blog, but the UK daily mail is quoted. Admin Mod, please correct me and move to the correct location if needed.
Comments anyone?
One more “reason” why people will need the mark of the Beast!
Since it’s the government, you won’t be able to sue them when their failures expose your information to forgery.
If it can be made, it can be changed.
Aren’t we supposed to get a national health ID card here? Maybe this is why they’re letting the illegals into the system immediately, because they know that can’t prevent this type of thing... so they “preempt” it by totally removing incentive to hack it since anyone can get in without regard to citizenship status.
There is no such thing as a “perfect” forgery, but many are good enough for their intended purposes.
I don’t care whether its forgeable or not. I am not carrying a national ID card and that is final.
I have to agree, but the way things keep going, you won’t be able to get anything without it. Imagine going to the DMV and needing it - no license, no registration, no insurance because you refuse to carry one and accept the terms (a perfectly legitimate stance IMO), therefore no ability to drive legally. Perhaps you’d need it to get gas as well - ergo no ability to drive at all. Need it for all your utilities and to get groceries, etc... pretty darned tough to survive (but not impossible). Cloistered minorities easily plucked off... At that point I think I’d rather have a forged ID card than none at all to use in limited situations and to throw the gov’t off if it came down to it.
I’m delving into tin foil hat area already, but you get my drift... things could get a lot worse before they get better.
Look...I have a driving licence, I have a passport (actually its expired but I can renew it) I have bank cards and statements. I’m on the electoral register. I can prove who I am. Why do I need another id card? If its forgeable (and anything that man can make man can duplicate) what possible benefit does it have for counter-terrorist operations?
Its a total and complete boondoggle of no value and massive expense.
I am agreeing with you, but that’s not really the point. All I was saying is that its yet another way for the gov’t to exert control over our lives (in their mind, our puny lives). I don’t really think that the majority of who’s in control now cares one whit about terrorism, they want something else entirely.
I am agreeing with you too. If this is redundant for identity purpoes, and its useless for counter-terrorist operations, then what other possible use is it other than to control us?
understood.
As an aside, did you hear about the talk show host that claimed all republican/conservative talk show hosts want obama to be taken out and that all Americans are afraid of socialism - that they are worried their country won’t be the USA anymore, that it will be entirely socialized? I can’t find a link to an article now, but what a strange thing to say. Of course we’re worried that our country will be socialized - anybody that’s been paying attention sees that’s exactly where we’re headed. I’m sure someone will post an article soon enough though.
I worry for you.
Its getting out of hand when people rail against the opposition on the basis of what they THINK they said, or THINK they believe, or even, when they THINK that is what “those kind of people” would say or do...
Sorry, my fault for being confusing. By “you”, I meant the whole of the USA, and I was referring to the way in which political opinion there seems to be polarising very rapidly. There’s a lot of fingerpointing and demonising going on, not a very good sign.
Understood.
...security experts were able to hack the supposedly "unforgeable" new UK ID card for foreign nationals and change the data within the embedded microchip within minutes.No problem. Round up all foreign nationals, and all Muzzies, and ship them out to their country of origin.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.