The traditional credit card is a very good tool for making purchasing easy for both the retailer and the shopper. But in this drive to be simple, there have been questions on the safety of the system. In Europe, more transactions are being placed with the employment of smart cards. And with all of their advantages, this might be something that the U. S. should begin to consider.
What is a Smart Card?
A smart card looks just like a regular Mastercard, but rather than the magnetic strip on the back of a piece of plastic, it has got a tiny microprocessor underneath a gold contact pad. It is a small PC that stores all the information that a retailer might need.
This microprocessor permits the key computer host to 'talk ' with the card to get the information that it needs. And unlike the conventional magnetic strip, it's much more difficult to remove or pinch information from a smart card. Many thieves can really buy inexpensive gear and get info from the magnetic strip on a constant credit card, although not with a smart card.
How is this safer?
Because your information cannot be gathered from a smart card without your authorisation, your fiscal information as well as private information is safe. In reality this is the same technology that's employed in satellite TV so you can get the channels that you've paid for. Without the payment, the host won't 'talk ' to the smart card.
Other applications include health benefit cards (in Europe), government identification, security systems, electronic money, banking, wireless communication, and mastercards.
The cards may also be used with a smart card reader when you're making purchases over the Web to further insure that your information is secure and safe. Simply fasten a reader to your PC and make your very own 'cash ' register.
Smart card readers can also be found in snack dispensers and cellular phones.
With a smart card, you don't have to worry about your credit info each time you wish to make a purchase and you don't have to fret if you lose the card. You'll still report it as stolen, but the thief will not be able to do much with it since he or she will not know the info that's contained on it and the way to release it.
Want to know more about how to fix your credit? Visit our site to learn more.
What is a Smart Card?
A smart card looks just like a regular Mastercard, but rather than the magnetic strip on the back of a piece of plastic, it has got a tiny microprocessor underneath a gold contact pad. It is a small PC that stores all the information that a retailer might need.
This microprocessor permits the key computer host to 'talk ' with the card to get the information that it needs. And unlike the conventional magnetic strip, it's much more difficult to remove or pinch information from a smart card. Many thieves can really buy inexpensive gear and get info from the magnetic strip on a constant credit card, although not with a smart card.
How is this safer?
Because your information cannot be gathered from a smart card without your authorisation, your fiscal information as well as private information is safe. In reality this is the same technology that's employed in satellite TV so you can get the channels that you've paid for. Without the payment, the host won't 'talk ' to the smart card.
Other applications include health benefit cards (in Europe), government identification, security systems, electronic money, banking, wireless communication, and mastercards.
The cards may also be used with a smart card reader when you're making purchases over the Web to further insure that your information is secure and safe. Simply fasten a reader to your PC and make your very own 'cash ' register.
Smart card readers can also be found in snack dispensers and cellular phones.
With a smart card, you don't have to worry about your credit info each time you wish to make a purchase and you don't have to fret if you lose the card. You'll still report it as stolen, but the thief will not be able to do much with it since he or she will not know the info that's contained on it and the way to release it.
Want to know more about how to fix your credit? Visit our site to learn more.
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