New national ID card cloned in 12 minutes

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mrk

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This genius idea is in the new again...

The prospective national ID card was broken and cloned in 12 minutes, the Daily Mail revealed this morning.

The newspaper hired computer expert Adam Laurie to test the security that protects the information embedded in the chip on the card.

Using a Nokia mobile phone and a laptop computer, Laurie was able to copy the data on a card that is being issued to foreign nationals in minutes.

He then created a cloned card, and with help from another technology expert, changed all the data on the new card. This included the physical details of the bearer, name, fingerprints and other information.

He then rewrote data on the card, reversing the bearer's status from "not entitled to benefits" to "entitled to benefits".
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He then added fresh content that would be visible to any police officer or security official who scanned the card, saying, "I am a terrorist - shoot on sight."

According to the paper, Home Office officials said the foreign nationals card uses the same technology as the UK citizens card that will be issued from 2012.

Guy Herbert, general secretary of privacy lobby group NO2ID, said it was a mistake to assume that the Home Office cared about the card, or identity theft or citizens' benefit.

He said the Home Office wanted the central database to record citizens' personal details in one place for official convenience.

"It is that database which will deliver unprecedented power over our lives to Whitehall and make the Home Office king in Whitehall. The card is an excuse to build the database. If the card is cancelled it already intends to use passports as a secondary excuse," he said.

Home Office officials said they were working on a response to the story, and would issue a statement later today.
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http://www.computerweekly.com/Artic.../uk-national-id-card-cloned-in-12-minutes.htm
 
The prospective national ID card was broken and cloned in 12 minutes, the Daily Mail revealed this morning

I stopped reading at this point.
Daily Mail - yer, like that is a reliable source.
 
The problem is the implementation of the solution, but staunch opposition to the whole idea shows so much bias it stops people believing anything they say anyway.
 
"He then added fresh content that would be visible to any police officer or security official who scanned the card, saying, "I am a terrorist - shoot on sight.""

gentlemen!
 
bledd. said:
"He then added fresh content that would be visible to any police officer or security official who scanned the card, saying, "I am a terrorist - shoot on sight.""

gentlemen!
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You can just imagine a PCSO asking someone not to go anywhere while he radioed for assistance.

It's a big shame the current government feel it'll damage them too much to abolish this scheme. Once it stopped being compulsory to carry the cards it became pointless in my eyes. I really think the only reason it's still going is because of the political fallout scrapping the scheme would have, that and it's probably making millions for companies who've donated money to the Labour party.
 
They might have dressed it up a bit with the 12 mins, point is they cloned it pretty darn quick! Not good at all for the UK!
 
For once I'd like the government to man up say they made a mistake, and stop this before it wastes more time and money.
 
Gilly said:
The problem is the implementation of the solution, but staunch opposition to the whole idea shows so much bias it stops people believing anything they say anyway.
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I'm opposed to the whole idea of ID cards because as outlined it offers me no benefits whatsoever - even the mooted benefits are nebulous at best yet it will cost a small fortune and not even be secure apparantly.

Or are you talking about people who refuse to read the Mail at all and instantly dismiss it as a possible source?
 
Slogan said:
I think you'll be waiting a while unfortunately.
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I suspect it'll happen right after the next election, even if by some miracle Labour retain power. If they oust Gordon Brown before the next election (and if they work out a scheme to put Mandelson in charge this isn't too far fetched) I think it might even be brought in by a new leader.
 
Yes but I really really really really really really really really really really really really want somebody who I've never met to maliciously and unnecessarily access my information to do me harm.

Really, I do.
 
Using a Nokia mobile phone and a laptop computer, Laurie was able to copy the data on a card that is being issued to foreign nationals in minutes.
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Nice bit of product placement there! Cue the boost in Nokia sales. ;)
 
Surely this *completely* misses the point of the ID card and database?

If you clone a card and change the data, it won't match up with what is on the database - the whole point of linking it to biometric information is because that pretty much can't be cloned or altered - if the tripartite of database, biometric and card doesn't match up, then (assuming the database info is correct) then either the person is a fraud, or the card is a fraud.
 
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