Smart+Card+Reader


 * __Smart Card Reader:__**


 * __What is a smart card?__**

Contact smart card readers are used as s communication between the smart card its self and a host. An example for this would be a computer or a mobile phone. The chips on a smart card are the same as those in a Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) in a mobile phone for example, they are programmed alot differently to mobile phone SIMs and they are placed in a different piece of very cheap plastic such as PVC - Polyviynl chloride. People who are manufacturing new smart cards and SIMs they are starting to make them up to a 3G standard they are doing this because the EMV - Europay, Mastercard and Visa only usually allows the chip card to withdraw 50 mA away from its terminal with the manufacturers making these new smart cards they have been able to bring this number up to 60 mA from its terminal, Cards are usually below the telephones 60 mA Limit, This allows cheaper and more financial terminals to be brought.


 * __Different types of smart card readers and where you find them.__**

A Smart card can be placed in a smart card reader which is usually an attatchment link to your personaly computer this is done so you can authenticate your user and everyone on your computer domain will know that you are trusted as a user within the computers domain. Web browsers can also used smart card technology such as the smart card reader because its a very strong security measure on if you have to perform a internet transaction of some kind. Smart card readers can also be used to show the user any online purchases that have been made they can do this by using a smart card reader and a PC. Smart card readers aren't just for computers they can also be found in items such as mobile phones and even sometimes vending machines.