NFC - What Could Go Wrong? Mitigating NFC Risks

Learning objective: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to explain high-level security measures that can reduce the risks of NFC-related data theft.

Simple security steps that work

Physical protection

  1. RFID-blocking wallets - these work by blocking the field NFC creates.
  2. Keep cards separated to prevent interference.
  3. Only tap on legitimate payment terminals.

Device security

When securing NFC features on mobile devices, consider taking these precautions:

  1. Phone settings: Turn off NFC when it isn’t in use and keep your OS and software updated so you always have the latest security features! Enable a strong PIN and device encryption, password, or biometric authentication for added protection.
  2. Payment security: Set payment limits and monitor your transactions regularly. Enabling transaction notifications is a great way to keep up with this. Use only trusted apps for NFC payments and avoid unofficial or unverified ones.
  3. Proximity awareness: Be cautious when using NFC in public or crowded spaces to avoid unauthorized scanning or malicious NFC tags. Always inspect payment terminals for signs of tampering before use.
  4. App permissions: Regularly review and manage permissions for NFC-enabled apps to ensure they don’t have unnecessary access to sensitive data.

Tips and tricks

Try to tap your card through your wallet. If it works, you might want better shielding! You can also test out different card positions in your wallet to see if there is a more secure position.