Advances in technology are making our lives easier all the time. Consider how simple it is to borrow a bike with the swipe of a card or visit a website by scanning an image. These actions are everyday occurrences for most of us, but do you know how they work?
One type of technology simplifying our lives is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). You might not be familiar with the term, but you have definitely used it if you have a card that you use for transit, whether on the metro♦ or for city-shared bikes. Or perhaps you have a debit cardthat just requires you to wave it in front of a sensorto make a purchase. RFID technology works by transmittingpayment or user details viaa radio frequency.
Of course, as with any new technology, people tend to have concerns regarding consumer protections. However, there is no need to worry. Your personal information is protected because the card needs to be close to, if not touching, the reader♦ to work. Also, a one-time code is issued for each transaction so potential scammerswon’t get full access to your details.
Another common technology is the easily-recognizable Quick Response (QR) code. These square graphicscomprised of blocks and lines can be scanned by a QR code reader, which is now an automatic, built-infunction on smartphones. The encodeddata may contain links to websites, but can also direct your phone to a video or help you add a new contact on a messaging app. QR codes are especially good for getting information from companies or marketers to lots of people. All it takes is a quick scan of one little image.
