Plants tell sensor when they need a drink

University of Colorado researchers have developed a prototype that monitors when crops need to be watered. The current prototype still uses wires but will eventually be outfitted to rely on RFID.

This technology allows not only the data, but also the power to be transmitted wirelessly, eliminating the need for batteries.

The sensor would be clipped permanently to a leaf during the growing season to monitor moisture content and chemical signatures that can indicate when the plant is undergoing water stress.

The chemical signs, such as an increase in salt and sugar content in the cells, occur much earlier than physical signs, such as drooping leaves, that many farmers rely on now.

Because it can only transmit a signal about half a metre away, the RFID tag can do one of two things with the data: it can transmit it to RFID tags nearby, which would then push the signal along to other tags in the network until the data reaches home base.

Alternatively, it can deliver the signal to a nearby base station, which would have enough power (using a battery or solar panel) to transmit the data directly to the farmer's computer.

Software on the computer would then analyse the data and could alert the farmer by email or text message. Or the computer could be set up to go one step further and automatically turn on the irrigation system.

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RFID Theme

Monochrom, a group of goofy "art-technology-philosophy basket weaving enthusiasts" have created a tune dedicated to hacking RFID in the key of the Village People's YMCA. I prefer the "Bratlfettn" version as it keeps more with the original. The "Rohkost" version sounds like an unplugged folk version.

It's fun to hack the RFID
It's fun to hack the RFID
They want to store everything about you
But there's plenty of things you can do

Ownage, it's the way to resist,
I said ownage, let's call it "digital fist"

Link (via BoingBoing)

Senator Calls for Higher Encryption Standards for No Swipe Cards

Senator Schumer from New York held a press conference today calling for higher encryption standards for new no swipe credit cards being introduced. I'm relieved to see that some of our elected officials are technically informed and looking out for the consumer.

No-swipe credit cards that use radio waves to relay their data put consumers at increased risk of identity theft, Sen. Charles Schumer said Sunday.

"These cards may be convenient, but they're a double-edged sword," said Schumer, D-N.Y.

Tens of millions of no-swipe credit cards have been issued in the past year.

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RFID in Identity Cards Vote Delayed

Delayed but not dead yet. I'm glad my passport doesn't expire for another 5 years, maybe by then there won't be as many vulnerabilities in RFID as there are now.

"The Department of Homeland Security's Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee published a draft report that poured cold water on using RFID in government-mandated identity cards and documents (PDF link). But this met with some consternation among the DHS bureaus that plan to use RFID in this way and the businesses eager to sell the technology to the government, and now a vote on the report has been delayed until December."

Link

RFID Security Lapse in Credit Cards

Classic case of technology outpacing security. Luckily RFID scanners aren't nearly as widespread as WiFi yet.

A report released today by a team of scientists in the RFID Consortium for Security and Privacy (RFID-CUSP) reveals lapses in the security and privacy features of several types of currently deployed RFID credit cards. The report (of which I am a co-author) highlights two basic vulnerabilities in the cards under study:

1. Names in the clear: The RFID credit cards transmit bearer names promiscuously. Any device capable of scanning a card can learn the name imprinted on it—with or without the owner’s consent.

2. Payment fraud: In varying degrees, the RFID credit cards are vulnerable to an attack called “skimming.” An attacker with an RFID reader can harvest information from a card, create an inexpensive clone device, and make charges against the legitimate card. (Alternatively, an attacker may be able to perform online transactions with harvested credit-card information.) Skimming requires minimal technical expertise and expense.

Link