In addition to information security, smart cards achieve greater security of services and equipment, because the card restricts access to all but the authorized user(s). Information and entertainment is being delivered via satellite or cable to the home DVR player or cable box or cable-enabled PC. Home delivery of service is encrypted and decrypted via the smart card per subscriber access. Digital video broadcast systems have already adopted smart cards as electronic keys for protection. Smart cards can also act as keys to machine settings for sensitive laboratory equipment and dispensers for drugs, tools, library cards, health club equipment etc. In some environments, smart card enabled- SD and microSD cards are protecting digital content as it is being delivered to the mobile hand-sets/ phones.
E-Commerce
Smart cards make it easy for consumers to securely store information and cash for purchasing. The advantages they offer consumers are:
The card can carry personal account, credit and
• buying preference information that can be accessed with a mouse click instead of filling out forms.
• Cards can manage and control expenditures with automatic limits and reporting.
• Internet loyalty programs can be deployed across multiple vendors with disparate POS systems and the card acts as a secure central depository for points or rewards. 7 Micro Payments - paying nominal costs without
• transaction fees associated with credit cards, or for amounts too small for cash, like reprint charges.
