UPSC Prelims 2015 · Question 32 of 98

UPSC Prelims 2015 question on Near Field Communication

With reference to 'Near Field Communication (NFC) Technology', which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a contactless communication technology that uses electromagnetic radio fields.

2. NFC is designed for use by devices which can be at a distance of even a metre from each other.

3. NFC can use encryption when sending sensitive information.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
Show answer

Answer: C. 1 and 3 only

Verdict

The answer is 1 and 3 only. Near Field Communication uses electromagnetic radio fields and can encrypt sensitive data, but it works only over a few centimetres.

Analysis

Statement 1 is CORRECT. NFC is a contactless technology using electromagnetic induction between antennas in radio frequency fields. Statement 3 is CORRECT. NFC transactions can be encrypted, which is why the technology is used for payments. Statement 2 is INCORRECT. NFC is designed for devices touching or brought into proximity, typically within about ten centimetres, and that very short range is a deliberate security feature rather than a limitation.

Source

Reporting on the launch of NFC enabled payment services and on relaxed authentication norms.

How to crack it

The clue is in the name. Near Field means the interaction happens within the non radiating field close to the antenna, so a claim of one metre contradicts the technology's own title. Whenever a technology's name contains a descriptive word such as near, short, low or micro, test any range or magnitude statement against that word first. Fuse it with the news hook of contactless payment launches, which is what put NFC into the paper.

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