+1 coinfor reading to the end
+1
Home / Glossary / NFC
Glossary · Device

NFC

Near Field Communication

In plain language

A short-range wireless link used for tap-to-pay and tap-to-open.

The metaphor

Like a handshake that works only at arm's length.

Going deeper

How it works

  • Phones and cards talk when held within a few centimetres.
  • Used for payments and door fobs.
  • Short range limits eavesdropping.
  • Lost cards still work, so report them.
In practice
  • A customer taps to pay at the till.
  • A staff badge opens the office door.
  • A phone is used as a transit pass.

A question owners ask

Is tap-to-pay safe?

It uses one-time codes for each payment and is considered safe.

Related terms
BIOSBasic Input/Output SystemCCTVClosed-circuit TelevisionCSUChannel Service UnitEndpointESNElectronic Serial NumberFirmwareFPGAField Programmable Gate ArrayGPSGlobal Positioning System

Something here sounds like your problem?

Every WILDCARD card exists to solve one named problem. Find yours.

Pick your problem →