09 August 2006
Hertz use of RFID cards for fast rentals
Hertz is testing RFID-enabled cards for their frequent renters. While this does speed up the process of renting cars, there is the issue that comes with all of the talk lately of how easy it is to copy a RFID chip even from a distance. I do agree that it is very useful and probably a very good improvement. But we have to leave ourself open to the possibility that someone could copy the card and attempt to use it.
The process being tested involves people with the card being able to walk directly to the car that is reserved for them and use the card against the windscreen to open the door and after acknowledging that they have a driver's license they can start the car with a push button. This does leave very little challenge for someone who clones the RFID to call Hertz and ask to rent a car on the other person's name and then use that cloned card to access the car with no Hertz employees aware of the problem.
While I agree with the use of the RFID cards as an improvement, I also hope Hertz is prepared to address the possible issue of unauthorized use of the cars.
The process being tested involves people with the card being able to walk directly to the car that is reserved for them and use the card against the windscreen to open the door and after acknowledging that they have a driver's license they can start the car with a push button. This does leave very little challenge for someone who clones the RFID to call Hertz and ask to rent a car on the other person's name and then use that cloned card to access the car with no Hertz employees aware of the problem.
While I agree with the use of the RFID cards as an improvement, I also hope Hertz is prepared to address the possible issue of unauthorized use of the cars.
Labels: rfid
