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72 Securing Your Computer
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About Smart Cards
Smart cards are portable credit-card shaped devices with internal integrated circuits. The top
surface of the smart card usually contains an embedded processor under the gold contact pad. 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:
1
Hold the card so that the gold contact pad is facing upward and pointing toward the smart
card slot.
2
Slide the smart card into the smart card slot until the card is completely seated in its
connector. The smart card will protrude approximately 1/2 inch from the slot. The smart card
slot is located below the PC Card slot.
If you encounter too much resistance, do not force the card. Check the card orientation and
try again.
1
gold contact pad
2
smart card (top)
1
2