Is HID Prox a Tracker?

Is that little card in your pocket secretly following your every move? The thought might send a chill down your spine. In today’s world of constant surveillance and data tracking, it’s natural to be wary of the technology we carry with us daily. But what about that unassuming HID Prox card 2 you use to get into your office or apartment building? Is it just a key, or could it be a hidden tracker, silently mapping your comings and goings? 

Here is what you need to know:

Is HID Prox a Tracker?

HID Prox is NOT a tracker! It’s an access control technology used for identifying and granting entry to authorized individuals. To understand why the HID card isn’t a tracker, let’s look at what it is and how it works in detail.

What is HID Prox?

HID Prox, short for HID Proximity, is a system used for controlling access to buildings or restricted areas. It consists of two main components:

1. A card or key fob: This is a small, portable device carried by users. It’s typically the size of a credit card or a small keychain attachment.
2. A card reader: This is a stationary device installed at access points like doors, gates, or elevators.

The card or fob contains a small chip with a unique identification number. This number is typically 26 to 37 bits long, allowing for millions of unique combinations. When brought close to the reader, this number is detected and checked against a list of authorized IDs.

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How HID Prox Works?

It uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how it works:

1. The card reader constantly sends out a weak electromagnetic field. 125 kHz Proximity Cards operate at a frequency of 125 kHz for standard systems. 
2. When a card comes within range (usually a few inches), it receives power from this field. The card’s antenna picks up the electromagnetic energy, which powers its internal chip.
3. The card then transmits its unique ID number to the reader. This transmission is very quick, typically taking less than 100 milliseconds.
4. The reader checks if this ID is authorized. It does this by comparing the received ID to a database of allowed IDs, which is usually stored in a separate access control system.
5. If authorized, access is granted (e.g., a door unlocks). This process is nearly instantaneous from the user’s perspective.

Why is HID Prox Not A Tracker?

There are several reasons why HID card cannot be considered a tracking system:

1. Limited Range: 

HID Prox only works when the card is very close to the reader, typically within 6 inches. This is because it uses low-frequency RFID, which has a very short range. Trackers, on the other hand, need to work over much longer distances, often hundreds of meters or more. GPS trackers, for example, can work anywhere on Earth with a clear view of the sky.

2. No Location Data: 

These cards don’t contain or transmit any location information. They only send a simple ID number, which is typically 26 to 37 bits long. This number doesn’t change based on where the card is or where it’s been. Tracking devices, in contrast, are designed to determine and communicate their geographical location, often using technologies like GPS, cellular networks, or Wi-Fi positioning.

3. No Constant Communication: 

Trackers regularly send out signals to update their location, often every few minutes or even seconds. These cards only transmit when they’re next to a reader. When not near a reader, the card is completely passive and does not communicate at all. This means the vast majority of the time, an HID Prox card is not sending any signal and its location is unknown to the system.

4. No GPS: 

Tracking systems usually rely on GPS technology to determine location. GPS receivers in tracking devices can pinpoint their location anywhere on Earth by receiving signals from multiple satellites. HID Prox doesn’t use GPS at all. It has no way to determine its geographical location or position.

5. No Independent Power Source: 

Most trackers have batteries to power constant communication. These batteries can last anywhere from a few days to several years, depending on the device and how often it reports its location. These prox cards are passive and only activate when near a reader. They don’t have batteries or any other power source of their own. They rely entirely on the energy from the reader’s electromagnetic field for the brief moment when they transmit their ID.

6. Single-Purpose Design: 

HID Prox is designed solely for access control, not for tracking movement or location. Its circuitry and programming are optimized for quick, short-range identification. It lacks the necessary components for tracking, such as a GPS receiver, a cellular or other long-range radio transmitter, or onboard storage for location history.

7. No Data Storage: 

The cards don’t store information about where or when they’ve been used. Any such data would be in the separate access control system, not on the card itself. Tracking devices typically have some form of onboard memory to store location history, especially if they can’t constantly communicate with a base station.

8. No Real-Time Updates: 

Trackers provide real-time location updates, often viewable through a smartphone app or web interface. Prox cards only register at the moment of access attempt. There’s no way to know where a HID Prox card is between uses.

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9. Fixed Reader Locations: 

The card readers are installed in fixed locations. They can’t track a card’s movement between these points. A tracking system, by contrast, can provide continuous location updates as the tracked object moves.

10. No Movement Detection: 

HID Prox can’t detect or report any movement of the card when it’s away from readers. Many modern trackers include accelerometers or other sensors to detect movement and conserve battery by only updating location when the device has moved.

Wrap Up

While HID Prox is a useful technology for access control, its design and capabilities make it fundamentally different from tracking systems. It lacks the essential features of range, constant communication, location awareness, and independent power that define tracking devices.Don’t compromise on security and efficiency. Contact Bristol ID Technologies today to learn more about our 125kHz Proximity Card and ISO PVC Proximity Card. Let us help you secure your facilities with the best identification technology in the industry.