smart card and security

What is a Smart Card? A smart card is a card that is embedded with either a microprocessor and a memory chip or only a memory chip with non-programmable logic. The microprocessor card can add, delete, and otherwise manipulate information on the card, while a memory-chip card (for example, pre-paid phone cards) can only undertake a pre-defined operation. Smart cards, unlike magnetic stripe cards, can carry all necessary functions and information on the card. Therefore, …

…issued in Europe, South America, and Asia. By the year 2000, Data Monitor predicts that over 3 billion cards will be in circulation worldwide - with over 15% of the total in use in the United States and Canada. By way of comparison, there are over 900 million credit cards in circulation today. Major uses will include providing enhanced financial services, increasing the security and flexibility of cellular phones, and securing satellite and cable transmissions in TV set-top boxes