93.APPLICATIONS OF SMART CARD

Computer securityThe Mozilla Firefox web browser can use smart cards to store certificates for use in secure web browsing[.Some disk encryption systems, such as FreeOTFE or TrueCrypt, can use smart cards to securely hold encryption keys, and also to add another layer of encryption to critical parts of the secured disk.Smartcards are also used for single sign-on to log on to computers


FinancialThe applications of smart cards include their use as credit or ATM cards, in a fuel card, SIMs for mobile phones, authorization cards for pay television, pre-pay utilities in household, high-security identification and access-control cards, and public transport and public phone payment cards. However, concern is also expressed about the extensive cost and potential abuse of hi-tech smartcards.


Smart cards may also be used as electronic wallets. The smart card chip can be loaded with funds which can be spent in parking meters and vending machines or at various merchants. Cryptographic protocols protect the exchange of money between the smart card and the accepting machine. There is no connection to the issuing bank necessary, so the holder of the card can use it regardless of him being the owner. Examples are Proton, Geldkarte, Chipknip and Mon€o. The German Geldkarte is also used to validate the customers age at vending machines for cigarettes.

Health care (Medical)Smart health cards can improve the security and privacy of patient information, provide the secure carrier for portable medical records, reduce health care fraud, support new processes for portable medical records, provide secure access to emergency medical information, enable compliance with government initiatives and mandates, and provide the platform to implement other applications as needed by the health care organization.