I'm sure you heard the hype about smartcards. Because of their RF chip inside, they can authenticate you automatically so you don't have to prove your identity. Since theives could possible duplicate the signal, some scientists have developed an additional security measure: use the chip as the key.
Use the chip as the key?! Basically, every circuit in the world have different signal delay times. By timing this delay and putting it in the database, you have a pretty good identification system. Of course, this doesn't prevent from others from stealing your card and using it (unless there is a security measure I'm not aware of), but it sure helps in the fight against counterfeigts.
Click here for the news article in MIT: Technology Review.
Posted by dreamnid at November 4, 2003 05:32 PM | TrackBack