What information is stored on a smart card?

A smart card is a safe place to store valuable information such as private keys, account numbers, passwords, or personal information. It’s also a secure place to perform processes that one doesn’t want to be exposed to the world, for example, performing a public key or private key encryption.

Where the data are stored in smart cards?

Beneath this dime-sized plate is an integrated circuit (IC) chip containing a central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM) and non-volatile data storage. Data stored in the smart card’s microchip can be accessed only through the chip operating system (COS), providing a high level of data security.

How do smart card readers work?

Smart contact cards work by inserting it into a card reader and with the contact pad bearing a memory chip where information is being stored, the card reader can read whatever is written on the card and allow the user perform any transaction he intends doing.

Where are smart cards used?

Contactless smart card technology is used in applications that need to protect personal information and/or deliver fast, secure transactions, such as transit fare payment cards, government and corporate identification cards, documents such as electronic passports and visas, and financial payment cards.

What are smart card readers used for?

A smart card reader—a hardware device—is needed to write to and read the information on the card. Smart cards can be used for different purposes, but one of the most popular is for authentication.

What kind of data does a smart card contain?

Answer Wiki. a smart card contain a data is usually associated with either value, information, or both and is stored and processed within the card’s chip. The card data is transacted via a reader that is part of a computing system.

How are smart cards used in everyday life?

Contactless smart card transmits the data through radio frequencies and for example, they are used in electronic passports. The smart cards help to make easier the routine actions like user identification, user authentication, data storage, because they are devices with a small size and they can be carried in a simple wallet.

How are smart cards different from contact cards?

However, unlike the contact smart card, the power supplied to the card as well as the data exchanged between the card and the reader are achieved without the use of contacts, using magnetic or electromagnetic fields to both power the card as well as to exchange data with the reader.

What kind of security does a smart card have?

Strong device security. Smart card technology is extremely difficult to duplicate or forge and has built-in tamper-resistance. Smart card chips include a variety of hardware and software capabilities that detect and react to tampering attempts and help counter possible attacks.