Editing Security token (section)

==== Smart cards ====
{{Main article|Smart card}}
Many connected tokens use smart card technology. Smart cards can be very cheap (around ten cents){{citation needed|date=September 2013}} and contain proven security mechanisms (as used by financial institutions, like cash cards). However, computational performance of smart cards is often rather limited because of extreme low power consumption and ultra-thin form-factor requirements.

Smart-card-based [[USB]] tokens which contain a [[smart card]] chip inside provide the functionality of both USB tokens and smart cards. They enable a broad range of security solutions and provide the abilities and security of a traditional smart card without requiring a unique input device. From the [[operating system|computer operating system]]'s point of view such a token is a USB-connected smart card reader with one non-removable smart card present.<ref name="noteusbSpec">[http://www.usb.org/developers/devclass_docs/DWG_Smart-Card_CCID_Rev110.pdf Specification for Integrated Circuit(s) Cards Interface Devices] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051229033623/http://www.usb.org/developers/devclass_docs/DWG_Smart-Card_CCID_Rev110.pdf |date=2005-12-29 }}, usb.org</ref>