Know all about Near Field Communication (NFC).

Near Field Communication (NFC)

Introduction.

Many of us may not be knowing about a wireless sharing feature available in our devices.

Yes, I am talking about NFC.

In this article you can get all your doubts and questions cleared about NFC.

What  is NFC? How it works? What are NFC tags and NFC mode? Difference between Bluetooth and NFC. How to use NFC? How to be safe from NFC hacking? and lots more!

Near Field Communication(NFC)

What is NFC and its full form ?

NFC is a wireless service. NFC stands for Near field communication.

As it is by name, we can understand that, it creates a communication field around the device.

With the help of that, we can send or receive any kind of data. It works in very small distance between two devices, nearly 3-4 cm maximum.

During the communication, very less battery percentage is used and electromagnetic radio waves are used for communication. 

What are the different NFC modes?

There are three NFC modes,which we can use for different purposes.

1.  Peer to peer mode – In this mode, both device should have NFC active, then only, they can transfer or receive data from one device to another device.
2. Read/ write mode – In this mode, one way of data transfer takes place, for example- Through NFC tags.
3. Card emulator mode – In this mode, you can use your NFC device as a card, like debit card, credit card etc.

 What are NFC tags?

There is a micro chip in our device, that stores data or commands, that is called NFC tag. It stores very less data.

In a NFC tag, you can give command through your smart phone by using different applications.

After storing command in your NFC tag, if you tap that NFC tag with other NFC device, then that command will be executed in that device.

Read more: Smartphone battery care, tips, tricks and myths.

What are the uses of NFC and why should we use it?

we should use it because it provides various features such as:-

1.  Data transfer with easy steps.
2.   Mobile payment – in your smart phone you can store your card details and when you need to pay ,select your card ⏩ turn on the NFC ⏩ and tap the paying machine with your device.
3. NFC business card – you can store your information in NFC card ,which you can use to give to your client.
4. NFC in camera – today in every camera like DSLR, there is an in built NFC feature. It can be used by just taping on the camera with your NFC device like smart phone, you will get all photos and videos in your NFC device(smart phone).

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 How to turn on NFC in your smart phone?

1. Go to settings of your smartphone.
2. Then go to connection/connection and sharing.
3. Then you will find an option NFC and payment, turn it ON.

 How to use NFC in your device?

1. Turn on NFC in your smart  phone.
2. Then open the image/ application/video/file, that you want to share.
3. Then bring the both device in contact.
4. Then, an option will appear "touch to the beam" click on that and that file/image/video/etc, will be shared.

Should we keep NFC on or off ?

If you are not using NFC regularly, then you must keep it OFF.

You should keep your NFC off in your device, because, if anybody finds your device with NFC on, then they can easily send or receive data from your smart phone.

They can also send some malware in your device.

Difference between Bluetooth and NFC.

1. Bluetooth pairing takes place at a range of 33 feet maximum and NFC pairing can take place at range of 3-4 cm maximum.
2. Bluetooth can share file at speed of 1-3 mbits/second where as NFC can share file at speed at speed of 424 kbits/second.
3. One Bluetooth device can connect maximum 7 device for communication at time where as one NFC device can connect only one device at a time.

How to be safe from NFC hacking?

Keep your NFC OFF when you are not using!

NFC was made for convenience in sharing files, but it became an easy tool for hackers to hack your device.

Since no authentication is required to connect any NFC device. Just one tap to  your NFC device and BOOM! Hacker can access all your information easily or can send any malware to your device.

So, don't let anyone access you phone's settings.

Don't keep NFC unnecessarily ON.

How to use Samsung pay?

In any Samsung device ,you will find one application named Samsung pay.

With the help of that, you can use your smart phone as physical card.We will be able to pay without any internet access too.

1. When you will open the application Samsung pay, then you have to add your card details.
2.  To add your card details, you can use two methods.
3. First method- you can take image of your card and by the help OCR technology, you can add your card number.
4. Second method- manually you can add your card number. 
5. Then you have to add your CVV and validity of the card i.e. month and year. Then after verification your virtual card will get activated. 
6. During paying you just have to open Samsung pay application and you have to select your card and then just tap on the paying machine with your smartphone.
7. Then it will ask your card's PIN and after providing the PIN, your payment will be successful.

Conclusion

So readers, we have discussed the topics related to NFC. We hope that you have got sufficient information and all your doubts are cleared.

Thanks for reading :)

You can also read our other article on smart phone rooting.