In brief: Smartcard reader to tackle Internet fraud

NEWS French smartcard maker, Gemplus, has announced the release of a smartcard reader that can be connected to a PC keyboard. Gemplus claims the GCR420 will solve authentification problems on the Internet because the pin code, entered on the keyboard, does not pass through the computer but is directly transmitted to the reader. The card reader has received backing from the e-Comm consortium, which includes the Societe Generale, Credit Lyonnais and BNP banks, and also France Telecom and Visa International. It will be tested by a group of 800 people before its final release.