Why does my laptop have a Smart Card reader?

[Kaido]

I just got a new Gateway laptop, and in addition the SD card reader it has a Smart Card reader. I've done some googling and I'm still not 100% sure what this is for. Why do I have it and when would I ever use it? (I'm in the US btw)

 

[corkyg]

That is so it can read SmartCards. There are quite a few still out ther, you know. My laptop reads 5 formats - and none are what I use (Compact Flash.) I still have a SmartCard camera as a pocket backup in my kit.

 

[6000SUX]

corkyg, isn't the OP talking about a magnetic stripe reader or something similar?

 

[imported_Uber]

It is likely for use with various other cards. I would bet it reads Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, xD, others.
If you have any, gently try inserting them into the slot. See if they fit.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Smart Card
This is what he's referring to, I assume.

You have it because you have a TPM-enabled laptop.

You can use it if you want to require the Smart Card to be present in order for the laptop to function.

- M4H

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: corkyg
That is so it can read SmartCards. There are quite a few still out ther, you know. My laptop reads 5 formats - and none are what I use (Compact Flash.) I still have a SmartCard camera as a pocket backup in my kit.

I just picked up a PCMCIA CF adapter for about $8 off ebay

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Smart Card
This is what he's referring to, I assume.

You have it because you have a TPM-enabled laptop.

You can use it if you want to require the Smart Card to be present in order for the laptop to function.

- M4H

Yeah, my reader is seperate from the memory card reader. It looks like it's designed for a credit card. That's neat, where can I get one of those security Smart Cards?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Smart Card
This is what he's referring to, I assume.

You have it because you have a TPM-enabled laptop.

You can use it if you want to require the Smart Card to be present in order for the laptop to function.

- M4H

Yeah, my reader is seperate from the memory card reader. It looks like it's designed for a credit card. That's neat, where can I get one of those security Smart Cards?

SmartCardSource is located in Canada, and ships worldwide - you'd need to buy something like the BasicCard SDK most likely to code-your-own. There might be a premade Windows logon solution, but I haven't poked around. Generally it's not something that individuals use; more of a corporate environment thing.

- M4H

 

[stash]

TPM doesn't have anything to do with smartcards. A TPM essentially is a smartcard soldered directly to the motherboard.

Smartcards are used for two-factor authN, as noted above, but they are not limited to this. They store cryptographic keys that can be used for authentication, non-repudiation or encryption.

One major initiative around smartcards today is Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which was an order signed by President Bush mandating that all Federal agencies use a authentication and authorization method for both logical and physical access. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/08/20040827-8.html

This led to FIPS-201, which is basically an interpretation of HSPD-12 by NIST. It goes into very technical detail about how the directive should be carried out, and it specifies the use of smartcards. If there are any military people out there, HSPD-12 is similar to the CAC program that DoD has been using for awhile now.

I've been working on this project for almost two years with my customer, and this Friday is the deadline for agencies to begin issuing cards. Should be a busy week.

edit: wow the language filters on this forum are retarded. c.s.r.c is not a bad word folks.

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: stash
TPM doesn't have anything to do with smartcards. A TPM essentially is a smartcard soldered directly to the motherboard.

Smartcards are used for two-factor authN, as noted above, but they are not limited to this. They store cryptographic keys that can be used for authentication, non-repudiation or encryption.

One major initiative around smartcards today is Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which was an order signed by President Bush mandating that all Federal agencies use a authentication and authorization method for both logical and physical access. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/08/20040827-8.html

This led to FIPS-201, which is basically an interpretation of HSPD-12 by NIST. It goes into very technical detail about how the directive should be carried out, and it specifies the use of smartcards. If there are any military people out there, HSPD-12 is similar to the CAC program that DoD has been using for awhile now.

I've been working on this project for almost two years with my customer, and this Friday is the deadline for agencies to begin issuing cards. Should be a busy week.

edit: wow the language filters on this forum are retarded. c.s.r.c is not a bad word folks.

You wouldn't believe how many military folks just leave those CAC cards in the readers and walk away.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: Kaido

I just picked up a PCMCIA CF adapter for about
$8 off ebay [/quote]

Yeah - I've had a couple for a few years. Got a USB 2 one now. I carry one in my laptop bag and one in my camera bag. Always ready!

Sorry I confused SmartCard with SmartMedia.

But the answer is still valid. The slot is there to read S/C cards.

 

[JWade]

the military uses the cards (its part of our ID cards now, has been for quite some years). The military (atleast the army anyways) has made it mandatory to use your CAC to login into computer systems. I dont mind it, less typing than having to type in a user name and password, just type in a pin number now.