[Q] How to clone an access card for PRX 5 door security system?

[atsuktuvas]

I need to clone an access card used to unlock doors at a certain building. They use PRX 5 security system made by deister electronic. The pass cards look just like plastic credit cards, but are a bit thicker. I have no idea how they comunicate with the PRX 5 boxes that are near every door, but I have seen how personel hoover the card near those boxes to unlock the doors. I also know that that all cards belonging to the staff are identical and all doors can be unlocked by any card. I could get one of these access cards when I am in the building, but only for a short while and would have to return it before I leave. Finally, I am aware that the PRX 5 system is very old, hence I don't think it uses anything complicated.

I know very little when it comes to security hardware, so I need your help. Anyone has any knowledge of this? Any ideas?

Oh, and here is a picture of the PRX 5 box that are found near every door (the access pass card is hoovered near it to open the door). Sorry for bad quality, I took it quickly with my phone and lighting was not the best.

[Kulverstukas]

PRX5 is just a model. Card and the device communicated with what is called an "RFID" (Radio Frequency Identification)... I did a little research on this for our e-tickets for the public transport, was thinking I could clone them and ride for free but shit was encrypted
Anyway, if it is used only to open doors then the data on those cards will be most likely be some kind of a ID number, and I doubt it will be encrypted (more details on the card type is needed).
As I saw on the Deister website, they only make the devices and on the datasheet they didn't say that it is compatible with any kind of encryption, such as like the MIFARE RFID cards (encryption not yet broken(?))

So, if I'm correct then all you would have to do it get one of those RFID readers and skim the data to your computer, then write it back to a blank RFID card.

RFID readers and cards can be obtained from Dealextreme.

Good luck

[atsuktuvas]

I have no idea of what type of card it is, because it doesn't have any technical info on it. Anyway, thanks a lot for getting me on track with RFID. I guess I will just have to get a reader, writer, and some blank RFID cards, and hope for the best.

[Stackprotector]

I am 80% sure that will be a RFID system, however, even if there is some encryption, you will always be able to clone the card,  may not always be able to change the data on it. goodluck

[Kulverstukas]

Cloning requires the same type of card, no?

[Stackprotector]

Cloning requires the same type of card, no?

yes, i don't know allot about it, but i think it has to be the same radio Frequency

[Kulverstukas]

well of course it has to be the same frequency... but there are many types of cards. Even MIFARE has at least 5 types of cards.

[atsuktuvas]

I did some more research on deister electronic PRX5 and found out that it uses 125khz frequency, and that it has an option to turn on data encryption. But anyway, since any card can open any door I won't need to modify any data in the card anyway, so I guess it should work.

[Kulverstukas]

I think all RFID cards nowadays operate on 125kHz frequency. Other frequencies are used in some other special cases, or not - not sure about it.

[xor]

If there is no special shielding on an RFID device to you clone someone's card simply by walking past and bumping into them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyQ9Us8fJLY

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2008/06/hackers-crack-l/

"An employee can be cloned by bumping into that person with a portable card reader," he told the Times.