Entity Authentication Schemes of Smart Cards：Comparisons and Applications

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to study entity authentication schemes of smart cards and to compare the efficiency between them. The author has classified the schemes into three categories-schemes using symmetric cryptographic keys, or using asymmetric keys, and those based upon the zero knowledge theory- and pointed out which is better in terms of efficiency. Secondarily, the author has included electronic commerce as an application field, and studied the feasibility of utilizing the cards in proposed systems, such as SET, as a payment instrument. Smart cards will replace magnetic cards in the future, because of their strength in security, portability, and expandability.