Technology is advancing at an incredible speed these days, and one of the most innovative and surprising is RFID. It is used in subway cards or contactless payment, but its potential has yet to be fully realized. That’s what Miana Windall, a computer programmer who has implanted 25 implants under her skin, including magnets and RFID, told the DEF CON conference.
Amal Graafstra, founder of biohacking and implant company Dangerous Things, emphasized that chip implants are not magical and only work in very close contact with a reader. The application of RFID implants is very specific, and users customize them to suit their needs. For example, the company Dangerous Things offers off-the-shelf solutions, such as a key implant for Tesla to start cars. However, making the implant a functional “lock” requires some technical expertise.
Miana Windall advises evaluating the full range of possibilities before meeting with an implant master to avoid chip inefficiencies. She emphasizes the importance of doing in-depth research and defining one’s goals before surgery. Windall herself already has a number of inactivated implants under her skin.
But beyond ease of use and the ability to change keys and passwords, companies are looking for ways to use RFID implants as security tools. Windall emphasizes that the chances of someone being able to scan your credentials without your knowledge are not as high. After all, as she says, “you can’t steal your hand, at least not with a machete.”
Implants can also be used to confirm identity instead of two-factor authentication. Your access key can be loaded into the chip implant, which can confirm your identity.
RFID implant technology has enormous potential and could change our lives. It offers convenience, security and the ability to eliminate the use of keys and passwords. However, it is important to carefully weigh up the possibilities and risks before deciding to undergo such a procedure.
