Is there any future for smartcards?

Alexander Klimov alserkli at inbox.ru
Mon Sep 12 11:09:36 EDT 2005


On Mon, 12 Sep 2005, Jaap-Henk Hoepman wrote:
> I believe smartcards (and trusted computing platforms too, btw) aim to solve
> the following problem:
>
>   "How to enforce your own security policy in a hostile environment, not
>    under your own physical control?"
>
> Examples:
> - Smartcard: electronic purse: you cannot increase the amount on
>   your e-purse (unless reloading at the bank).
> - Trusted computing: DRM: my content cannot be illegally copied on
>   your machine.
>
> As soon as the environment is under your won physical control, software only
> solutions suffice.

Well, SC is just a processor which runs some software. Unfortunately,
in our non-perfect world a person can physically control his own
computer which is (logically) 0wned by somebody else :-) Of course, a
smart card inserted into compromised card accepting device can be
(mis)used by the 0wner as well, but at least the owner can be sure
that once she removes the card no new transaction can be
authenticated.

BTW, there is also `something-you-have' authentication use-case.

-- 
Regards,
ASK

---------------------------------------------------------------------
The Cryptography Mailing List
Unsubscribe by sending "unsubscribe cryptography" to majordomo at metzdowd.com



More information about the cryptography mailing list