IP: Potential Flaw In Cash Card Security Seen. Counterfeiting

[Dave Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

   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.