RFID Sleeve Shield

RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology is already being sold in consumer products and is constantly expanding. Numbers soaring over 200 million credit and debit cards, millions of hotel room keys, including All US Passports issued since October 2006, work IDs and even transit cards use RFID chips. This is for convenience, all you simply need to do is swipe your card, the chip does the rest! What could go wrong? Unfortunately many things. It is quite easy for someone to pick up your RFID information against your will. Criminals with can construct their own RFID readers with a cheap minimal supplies. These devices can steal your private financial information quickly and silently. With the more these chips becoming more and more popular, the more your personal information is at risk than ever before. by using RFID shields or wallets can make it more difficult for someone with an electronic reader to read your information.

Protect yourself and your identity build a RFID shield

Step 1: You Will Need!

To build this project, you will need the following

1. Duct tape
2. Ruler
3. Aluminum foil
4. Scissors

Thats all you need! Lets start building!

Step 2: Lay Down Tape

Rip off two duct tape strips about 5 inches long.

Lay the two strips one over the other in order to increase the width

Once that's done, tear off a big piece of foil and cover the pieces of duct tape

You should now have a duct tape side and a foil side

Next Step!

Step 3: Cut

Now take out your ruler!

Measure out a 2 and 1/2 width and 3 and 1/2 height

using a pen CREASE don't DRAW on the tape. Use pressure but don't draw on the tape.

Now get out your scissors and cut out the rectangle. (Clean the scissors often, it gets difficult to cut duct tape)

**Easy Tip** Its faster and easier to simply trace a card and cut out the shape. Just lay the card on the tape and trace around it with a pen

Step 4: Repeat

Make another side!

Do exactly the same thing you did before.

(Start over from step 3)

Step 5: Tape Sides

Now lay both pieces FOIL DOWN next to each other

Lay a small strip of tape over the seams to connect the two

Fold and tape the other side together

tape of of the remaining sides

Cut off excess tape

Basically all your doing is taping three sides together, once that's done make sure your card fits and then place a heavy object on top of it over night. THis will make it tight and thinner.

Step 6: Cut Again

**This step is optional**

Using a cap or circle templat (I used a glue stick lid) trace out a half circle

Once thats done, cut it out!

This will make your sleeve look better and its easier to remove your card.

Step 7: Your Done!

Your done!

You now have a RFID shielded sleeve! Your identity is safe with you!

Dont stop there! Make a duct tape RFID proof wallet! Try making a bag!

Please vote for this instructable

The best part about this sleeve is how thin it is! You almost forget its there! You can take it anywhere with you!

Comments

[troyka]

Although I don't know if anyone actually needs an RFID screen as it's easier for criminals to buy stolen card details online than build and skim people. Copper would work aluminium not so much . You can buy adhesive copper foil from garden centers it's used as slug barriers on pots, dolls house for electrical lighting, even Poundland sell it for slug barriers.

[StlPat]

My done? Grammar police: Should be YOU'RE DONE. NOT MY DONE

[gunguru]

I recently read up on RFID readers and (correct me if I'm wrong) but tinfoil only sheilds the mag strip slightly. Readers can read through tinfoil at close range. According to tech sights I have been on the only thing that completely blocks the reader is copper mesh?

[PatrickW44]

Copper does have a higher electrical conductivity than aluminum (silver is best), but it is heavier and less malleable. Heavy-duty aluminum foil works better than standard weight. All non-grounded solutions will only diminish (not eliminate) RF transmission; a faraday cage must be well grounded.

[PatrickW44]

Also, if using mesh, the finer the better as more frequencies of EMR can get through bigger holes. Some high-tech fabrics have very good blocking characteristics.

[Constructed]

Your correct about the foil! (not sure about copper mesh) It makes it more difficult to steal your information from the chip, and will shield your card around 80% of the time. Using foil will work just as well as any "RFID blocking wallets" you see in stores. The best part is the foil is many times cheaper then these wallets.

[Bard]

If you have an old microwave you might be able to steal the screen between the glass. That is a farraday shield other wise your eyes would boil when looking at the cooking food.

I never tried this before so if you to make an attempt and hurt yourself your on your own.

[gunguru]

Supposedly the copper mesh acts as a Farraday cage. I think it also can block phone signals and radio signals too.

[gunguru]

The actual blocker wallets with copper mesh are usually much more expensive too.

[taifur]

Nice

[Dyer13]

Another, and possibly better?, option is to use

DUPONT™ TYVEK® THERMAWRAP™ LE

I've read that normal Tyvek blocks some radio frequencies, but Dupont also makes a version that is coated with a metal foil to reflect radiation (heat) trying to escape the building. The LE doesn't have the additional insulation, like the thermawrap R5.0.

Alternatively, you can buy aluminum (duct) tape at any hardware store, which is several times thicker than aluminum foil.

[Dyer13]

Or just buy copper foil/tape. You can find it online for a decent price.

[Kafukai]

Thank you :-) You make me worry a bit. I took your concept to the next level.

I'll attach an aluminum fiber inside my walltet slots where I put my cards for better safe, like you've mentioned. Anytime I'll buy/use a new wallet, I'll do the same.

[zork the destroyer]

Awesome. you're*

[PowellMade]

I hate these chips. If your card has one wrap it in paper, put it on a steel surface and wack it with a hammer. Smash the chip and use the strip. Thanks for the write up constructed! Nice instructable.

[Constructed]

Agreed! I cant stand these chips, but its in my passport! Thanks for reading!

[PowellMade]

What? They are invading passports!! Man that is even worse. Sorry to hear that mate. Thanks for sharing your tips with us.

[kbc2]

that pretty cool and on the cheap. One idea for easy cutting, using the ruler as the straight edge and guide, use an Xacto knife ( razor blade) to make the cuts. BECAREFUL USING THESE BLADES WHILE CUTTING.

[Constructed]

Thanks! I dont work with duct tape that much, now I know!

[soofv]

For future sleeves, you can get solid pages of duct tape at alot of craft supply stores like Michael's or Joann fabrics. it's like $2 a sheet.