Magic Internet ID card as a way of fraud control

Siemens together with its Swiss partner-company AXSionics has developed an Internet ID card as a protection means from online fraud. The new card is the same size as ordinary ATM card but the principle of work is a little bit different: it enables users to provide authentication before bank transaction by means of fingerprint scanner and six optical sensors.

Payment operations are to be conducted as follows: first, user identifies himself using fingerprint, then bank's website sends a flicker code, which is registered and decrypted by ID card. The deciphered information is displayed on a small screen that allows the user to check all the details before completion the transaction. If everything is right user confirms the details by entering associated transaction number sent in flicker code.

The creator also thought about the cases when transactions are conducted under compulsion. For this case customers should scan several fingers onto the Internet ID card to be used for authentication and select one as emergency finger. Being forced to transfer funds the user scans this emergency finger and bank conducts a fake transaction. On the screen is appeared the message of successful completion of operation but actually request is not completed.

To other advantages of this novelty creators refer that it does not require any additional software or hardware and that it be used on any computer being totally free from any attacks. Launch of such cards is planned on summer of 2008 or later.     

Aynny, reporter of Ecommerce Journal