Near-field Communication (nfc)

NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATION (NFC)

• NFC is a short-range contactless communication technology based on a Radio Frequency (RF) field using a base frequency of 13.56 MHz

NFC-enabled devices must be either physically touching or within a few centimetres of each other for data transfer to occur

• Nowadays NFC are used in Money Transfer. Ex- Samsung Pay mini

Working of Near Field Technologies

• NFC allows two devices to communicate by sending data using electromagnetic radio signals. NFC chips are required for both devices since transactions only take place over extremely short distances.

• For data transfer to take place, NFC-enabled devices need to be in close proximity to one another, either by touching or being a few centimeters apart.

Other Applications

• It is utilized in contactless bank cards for monetary transactions and in the creation of contactless public transportation tickets.

• It can be found in home appliances, speakers, and other smartphone-controlled electronics.

• It can also be used in healthcare, where NFC-enabled wristbands can be used to track patient statistics.

Wireless charging also uses NFC.

How safe is to use NFC?

• NFC technology is designed to function between devices that are a few centimeters apart. This presents a challenge for potential attackers seeking to intercept and record device-to-device communication, as opposed to other wireless technologies that operate over several meters..

• The user of the NFC-enabled device determines by the touch gesture which entity the NFC communication should take place with, making it more difficult for the hacker or attacker to get connected.

• Compared to other wireless communication protocols, NFC communication has a greater security level by default.

• Since the receiving device reads data the moment one sends it, NFCs also brings down the possibility of human error.

Comparison with other Technologies

• The IrDa (Infrared) technology requires a line of sight between the two communication devices and is based on data exchange by infrared light. It has a short range (a few meters). These days, remote control gadgets are the major use for this technology.

• Bluetooth or WiFi connections have taken the place of this technology for bigger data transfer with computer devices.