Tag Archives: security

The Disadvantages of RFID Credit Cards

RFID credit cards are taking the nation. Also known as Radio Frequency Identification, RFID for short, these cards allow you to make purchases with your credit card without even having to type in a pin number, swipe your card through a reader, or even sign for the sale. Instead, a coil radio transmitter insider your card—imagine how small it must be!—sends out a tagged radio signature, that then gets transformed by the way you move your finger over the card.

In essence, your personal way of “swiping” your card with your finger gives the signal a distinct “shape” that acts like an electronic fingerprint. In theory, no one else could have this electronic fingerprint. It’s not so much theory anymore. Some credit card companies are already experimenting with RFID technology. You can use them at gas stations, convenience stores, maybe even vending machines.

But is this technology as secure as all the experts say it is? It may be, but the thought of not signing for your purchase may make you have the heebie-jeebies. Also, usually with regular credit cards, the cashier is supposed to look at your card and compare signatures, to make sure you are you, each and every time you make a purchase. With RFID cards, you forgo this extra step of security.

Another issue with RFID cards, and one you won’t hear the credit card companies make, is that RFID cards make it possible to too easily to spend and drive up your debt. If all a person has to do is wave their card at the fast food restaurant, to get gas, to buy that expensive new flat-screen televisions set, then chances are they may start waving their card more and more. In the long run, that will make a ton more money for the credit card companies. But for the buyer, that could mean a long lifetime of living in debt.

Another potential issue with RFID technology is that it could be the next wave of the future for everything from passports to security to get into buildings. It could be used possibly to even track your movements throughout the day, the week, and the year. Just imagine—your car, every building that you enter into, your house, your work—all of them have RFID security technology. That makes for a chance for Big Brother to keep an eye on you. A scary thought, and pretty far-fetched, yes, but a possible reality none the less thanks to RFID.

The A to Z of Homeowner loans

Not all of us are financially stable at all times and with the growing needs in the mind, we do need financial help. This financial help (loan) may be in the form of borrowings from our friends or even from the financial institutions.

It is always better to go for a secured loan than an unsecured loan, if your financial strength allows that. The reason: A secured loan comes with a lower interest rate than an unsecured loan and this eventually means low financial burden on your shoulders. This also means that you are left with enough money to meet your other financial needs and no further requirement of loans in the near future.

Getting a secured loan is also much easier than an unsecured loan as the lender (financial institution) has some security in exchange for the loan amount. The pledged security is seen by the lender as an effective guarantee for the loan amount. The security may be in the form of home mortgage, property mortgage or vehicle mortgage.

A secured loan can be obtained by the owner of a home while a tenant can only get an unsecured loan.

If you are planning to spend a huge amount of money on building, renovation or any other expenses for your home you can go for a Homeowner loan. A homeowner loan is a loan which is given by a lender to the borrower against a security (home). Anyone who desires of getting a homeowner loan must have the complete and undisputed ownership of the home (security). The lenders in the present day loan market scenario offer loans which are corresponding to the home equity. By home equity we mean the price which the home will fetch if it is sold in the marketplace.

Now let us have a look at some of the benefits of the homeowner loans. These types of loans carry a low interest rate and come with easy repayment terms. The loan period may also be favourable for the borrower and can be of any period between 3-25 years. You can take these loans for almost anything from home renovation to buying a car or from holiday debt consolidation to getting a second home.

These secured homeowner loans provide an effective platform to individuals for buying a new property or meeting any other financial requirements. However, an individual opting for the same must be clear in his vision and must analyse his financial strengths and requirements before signing on the dotted line. It is highly recommended that one must always compare secured loans to have a complete and clear insight about them. This will also help to get a low interest and budget-friendly loan. You can easily get the required information from the Internet and in case you require some advice you must not hesitate to seek the services of a professional expert or a financial analyst.