Is NFC Safe?

NFC is a short-range radio technology that allows you to make contactless payments in stores and on public transport, but it’s not without its risks.

If your phone isn’t secure, anyone can read the data stored on it. This includes personal information such as bank details, passwords, and other sensitive data.

Your device could be hacked by someone who gains access to it. Hackers have been known to use NFC to steal credit card numbers from unsuspecting customers.

You might also lose control of your device if it gets stolen or damaged. The same goes for any confidential documents stored on it.

In this article, we’ll be taking you through everything you need to know about NFC and whether it is safe, so you can decide if it is the best thing for you to use. 

What Does NFC Stand for?

NFC stands for Near Field Communication. It’s a wireless communication standard used to transfer small amounts of data over distances up to 10 cm (4in).

How Do I Turn Off NFC?

You should see an option called ‘Turn off NFC when using my wallet’. If you don’t, tap the button in the bottom right corner of your screen.

How Do I Enable NFC?

Tap the toggle next to Turn on NFC when using my wallet.

Can I Disable NFC Completely?

Yes, but only if you want to. Tap the toggle next to Turn off NFC when using my Wallet. You’ll then need to set up a PIN code to protect your device.

How Do I Find Out More About NFC?

The NFC Forum has created a guide with everything you need to know about NFC.

What Are The Benefits Of NFC?

There Are Several Advantages To Using NFC

 

• • No need to carry cash

• • No need to sign anything

• • Easy to use

• • Secure

• • Faster than tapping cards

• • More convenient than carrying a mobile wallet

• • Easier than typing in a PIN

• • Can work anywhere – including on public transport

Why Not Just Use A Mobile App Like Apple Pay Or Google Pay?

Apple and Google both offer their own payment services. But they require users to download apps onto their smartphones.

This means you won’t get the full benefit of NFC until you buy a new smartphone. And even then, some older models may not support it.

Apple Pay works on iPhones running iOS 8 and later. Android phones must run Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher.

Google Pay works on Android devices running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean or newer. Those who own an iPhone will need to wait for iOS 11.

Do I Really Need NFC?

It depends on what you’re doing.

Using NFC to pay for things in shops and on public transport makes sense because there’s no need to take out your wallet or sign anything.

But if you’re planning to use NFC to pay for items online, you’ll need to enter your card details into a website first.

If you’re going to use NFC to pay bills, you’ll still need to go through the usual steps of signing up for a direct debit or standing order.

Does NFC Work Everywhere?

No. NFC doesn’t currently work in all countries. In Europe, it’s available in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

In North America, it’s supported in Canada, Mexico, and the US.

Where Else Is NFC Supported?

Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

How Long Does It Take To Charge My Phone?

A fully charged Samsung Galaxy S8+ takes around two hours to reach its maximum battery capacity.

Will I Be Able To Use NFC Without A Compatible Phone?

Not yet. Some banks and retailers have started offering NFC payments, but this isn’t widespread yet.

So far, most people who have tried it say that they can’t use NFC without a compatible smartphone.

However, some experts have suggested that you could try using NFC with a non-smartphone. This would involve setting up a virtual account on your computer and then transferring money from your bank account to it.

You’d then need to transfer money back again when you wanted to spend it. It’s not recommended though.

Can I Use NFC With My Existing Phone?

Yes, but you’ll need an updated version of the operating system. The latest versions of Android (7.0 Nougat) and iOS (9.3.2) include NFC functionality.

Samsung released a special edition of its Galaxy Note 7 handset which included NFC technology. However, this was withdrawn after reports of overheating batteries.

The company said that the problem had been caused by “a manufacturing issue unrelated to customer safety”.

What Are The Dangers Of NFC?

NFC has been used since 2006. So far, there haven’t been any major issues reported.

One expert says that the biggest danger is that someone might steal your phone while you’re paying for something.

He suggests that if you leave your phone unattended at a cash register, you should put it in a case so that it’s harder to pick up.

Another risk is that hackers could intercept your payment information. But this is unlikely as long as you keep your PIN secret.

There’s also the possibility that you could get an infection from malware that uses NFC to spread itself.

This is why many security companies recommend that you only use NFC when you know where you’re going.

Should I Buy A New Phone Just To Use NFC?

It depends on how much time you want to spend learning about NFC. If you don’t have a compatible phone already, buying one will probably make more sense than trying to learn how to use NFC on an old model.

If you do decide to buy a new phone, you may find that it costs less to get a SIM card with NFC support rather than getting a separate NFC wallet.

Why Aren’t NFC Phones Cheaper?

Because NFC chips cost more to produce than other components.

They’re also smaller than normal memory chips, meaning that manufacturers have to design them differently.

That means that the price of NFC chips is higher than usual.

But once NFC becomes more common, prices will come down.

And even now, you can save money by buying a secondhand phone or tablet instead of buying a brand new one.

Conclusion

In conclusion, NFC is perfectly safe to use provided that you use it when you know that your connection is secure and safe from any potential hackers or eavesdroppers.

There are many benefits to using NFC that can prove useful when making contactless payments no matter where you are. 

For more resources for learning how payments work, go to our merchant hub.