A smart card, also known as a chip card or integrated circuit card, is a physical electronic authentication device used to control access to a resource. It is typically a plastic credit card-sized card with an embedded integrated circuit chip. Smart cards can provide personal identification, authentication, data storage, and application processing. They are designed to be tamper-resistant and use encryption to provide protection for in-memory information. Smart cards can be either contact or contactless, and some are both. Contact smart cards must be inserted into a smart card reader with a direct connection to a conductive contact plate on the surface of the card, while contactless smart cards use a remote contactless radio frequency interface. Smart cards are used for a variety of applications, including identification, financial, public transit, computer security, schools, and healthcare. They are most commonly used as credit cards and other payment cards, and can also be used as tokens for multifactor authentication. Smart cards offer enhanced security and convenience, making them ideal for various applications, including secure transactions, access control, and identification purposes.

Some key features of smart cards include:

• Embedded integrated circuit chip: This is the microprocessor or memory chip that is embedded in the smart card, which can perform on-card processing functions and manipulate information in the chips memory.

• Tamper-resistant design: Smart cards are designed to be tamper-resistant and use encryption to provide protection for in-memory information.

• Contact and contactless interfaces: Smart cards can be either contact or contactless, and some are both.

• Applications: Smart cards are used for a variety of applications, including identification, financial, public transit, computer security, schools, and healthcare.

Overall, smart cards are a secure and convenient way to store and access personal information and perform secure transactions.