IOGEAR's Portable Smart Card reader is the perfect communications medium between a Smart Card and a host (e.g. a computer or a point-of-sale terminal). Keep the GSR203 Portable Smartcard reader in backpack, briefcase, or even pocket. The slim design with tuck-away and clip USB cable makes transportation effortless. A Smart Card is a small portable credit-card shaped pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits or IC chips which can process data. The combination of the small size and IC (integrated chip) in the Smart Card make them a valuable tool for security, data storage, and other special applications. The use of Smart Cards can improve user security by combining something a user has (the Smart Card) with something only the user should know (a PIN). This provides two factor security that is more secure than passwords alone. The traditional credit card uses a magnetic-strip which stores a very small amount of information and has no processing capability of its own. Smart Cards are the next generation of secure and user friendly identification, authentication & data storage solution. The IOGEAR USB Smart Card Access Reader uses a contact system where the card must be swiped through the card reader; this type of reader is less prone to misalignment and eliminates the possibility of being misread.