A Firewall for Your Wallet

ANAHEIM HILLS, Calif., May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- With identity theft and credit card fraud concerns rising, California-based Kena Kai has launched a new line of DataSafe(R) Wallets and Passport Wallets specifically designed to thwart identity theft. These patent-pending and stylish Italian leather wallets utilize multiple layers of radio frequency (RF) shielding material to protect the millions of new wireless credit cards and "ePassports" that will be issued this year.

Credit cards have become an integral part in today's society. With the recent introduction of credit cards and passports that contain an electronic wireless chip, sometimes referred to as an RFID (radio frequency identification) chip, these critical and very personal tools in our daily life are now at risk. With most advances in technology come trade-offs and this is no exception. While these new cards and passports offer greater convenience, they are also susceptible to "skimming" - the wireless access and/or copying of personal information stored on these cards - from a distance. Researchers from the University of Massachusetts have shown that they could access a credit card user's name, the number and the expiration from more than 20 feet away! This information can be accessed through clothing, wallets and purses without the DataSafe technology.

"We recognize the public's growing concern regarding identity theft and 'tracking,' and have designed these to be 'the world's safest wallets' by integrating multiple layers of RF shielding material into a stylish, handcrafted Italian leather design that completely blocks unwanted access to the user's personal information," offered Geb Masterson, president of Kena Kai. "You would not have a computer today without a 'firewall' and for the same reason you should not be using an unshielded wallet!" added Masterson.

The researchers claim that nearly 40 million radio frequency identification (RFID) credit cards in circulation today could be vulnerable to skimming attacks, which could harvest names and credit-card details from the cards of passers-by. A skimming attack uses a normal reader, or one that has been enhanced to read cards from a greater distance, to grab unencrypted data from the card.

"Without even removing their cards from wallets or pockets, consumers can potentially see their privacy and security compromised," Ari Juels, an author of the University of Massachusetts' paper and researcher at RSA Labs, stated in a blog post. "A scanner in a crowded subway station might surreptitiously harvest credit card data from passers-by."

The DataSafe Wallets and Passport Wallets retail between $50 and $180. The Collection is available in smooth and Croc-embossed Italian leather in various colors. These wallets can be found at http://www.kenakai.com.  

With a distinctive combination of style and innovation, Kena Kai designs unique items that leverage today's best technologies to better people's lives. Full-color photos and information for the full DataSafe product line can be obtained by emailing Nelleke Gort at [email protected].  

Contact: Nelleke Gort, 714.782.7387, [email protected].

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Kena Kai