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IP: Potential Flaw In Cash Card Security Seen. Counterfeiting
From: Dave Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 1996 09:18:14 -0400
9-26-96. NYP: This is true for most computer systems. Problem is it is hard to force the right failure and also smart future cash cards have good protection djf "Potential Flaw In Cash Card Security Seen. Counterfeiting a Risk, Say Bellcore Scientists." Markoff. A potential security flaw has been discovered that might make it possible to counterfeit many types of the electronic-cash "smart cards" that are now widely used in Europe and are being tested in this country, reports a paper set to be released today. The Bellcore researchers said that a smart card's security could be breached by forcing the microchip in the card to make a calculation error, whether through sophisticated means like bombarding the card with radiation or perhaps cruder methods like placing it in a microwave oven. A mathematical formula they derived could use this error to extrapolate the secret data that authenticates the card when it is used.
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- IP: Potential Flaw In Cash Card Security Seen. Counterfeiting Dave Farber (Sep 26)