Protecting your identity no longer only depends on not losing your passport. Now you also have to be careful to prevent someone from “reading” it without touching it.
A strange tip, but one that has gone viral, is to wrap it with aluminum, and it makes more sense than it seems.
Why this trick
The key is how current passports work. The vast majority are biometrics, That is, they incorporate an electronic chip that stores personal data such as your name, photo, and date of birth.
This chip uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, allowing information to be read without physical contact.
The risk of digital skimming
The call skimming It is a technique by which a cybercrime uses an RFID reader to capture information from documents or cards without you realizing it.
In busy places (like airports, stations…) someone could get close enough to your backpack or pocket and, in theory, try to read that data. It is not the most common, but technically it is possible.
The science behind aluminum foil: “Faraday cage” effect
When you wrap your passport in aluminum foil, you are creating a kind of barrier based on the principle of the Faraday cage. This physical phenomenon consists of a conductive material blocking external electromagnetic waves.
In simple words, the aluminum prevents the RFID reader from accessing the chip, because the signals cannot pass through that metal layer.
Does it really work?
Yes, but with its nuances:
- Is fragile and breaks easily
- If you have cracks, protection decreases considerably
- Is impractical at security checks
Come on, it’s useful as a one-time fix, but it’s not the most comfortable option for day-to-day life.
More practical alternatives
If you want to protect your passport without looking like you’re carrying a sandwich, there are better options.
RFID blocking cases They are designed specifically for this purpose. They work with the same principle as aluminum, but they are:
- More resistant
- More discreet
- Comfortable
- Long-term reusable
They are very easy to find and their price normally does not exceed two euros.
Although aluminum foil is scientifically based and can protect you, if you really want to do it right, we recommend opting for RFID covers.