About Smart Cards - Dell Latitude D400 User Manual

FILE LOCATION: S:\SYSTEMS\Pebble\UG\A00\English\smart.fm
NOTE: To use a smart
card for secure PC log-on
and authentication, B2B
and B2C e-commerce,
local file encryption, and
storage of digital
certificates, additional
software is required. To
use a smart card for
secure network log-on and
authentication, file and e-
mail encryption, and
Virtual Private Network
(VPN) log-on, you need to
enable Microsoft®
Windows® PKI support.
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U s i n g S m a r t C ar d s

About Smart Cards

Smart cards are small portable credit-card shaped devices with internal
integrated circuits. Smart cards come in two varieties: memory and
microprocessor. Memory smart cards store data but cannot process
information. Microprocessor smart cards can add, delete, and manipulate
information in the card memory. The top surface of the microprocessor
smart card contains an embedded microprocessor located under the gold
contact pad. Microprocessor smart cards can be used for programs such as:
• Secure log-on and authentication of users to PCs and networks
• Secure business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) e-
commerce
• Storage of digital certificates, credentials, and passwords
• Encryption of sensitive data
The combination of the small size and integrated circuits make smart cards
valuable tools for security, data storage, and special programs. Using smart
cards can improve system security by combining something a user has (the
smart card) with something only the user should know (a PIN) to provide
more secure user-authentication than passwords alone.
Installing a Smart Card
You can install a smart card in the computer while the computer is running.
The computer automatically detects the card.
To install a smart card:
Remove the smart card blank from the smart card slot.
1
Hold the card face up with the gold contact pad on the top surface and
2
pointing toward the smart card slot.