<P> The CCID (Chip Card Interface Device) is a USB protocol that allows a smartcard to be connected to a computer, using a standard USB interface . This allows the smartcard to be used as a security token for authentication and data encryption such as Bitlocker . CCID devices typically look like a standard USB dongle and may contain a SIM card inside the USB dongle . </P> <P> Smart cards serve as credit or ATM cards, fuel cards, mobile phone SIMs, authorization cards for pay television, household utility pre-payment cards, high - security identification and access badges, and public transport and public phone payment cards . </P> <P> Smart cards may also be used as electronic wallets . The smart card chip can be "loaded" with funds to pay parking meters, vending machines or merchants . Cryptographic protocols protect the exchange of money between the smart card and the machine . No connection to a bank is needed . The holder of the card may use it even if not the owner . Examples are Proton, Geldkarte, Chipknip and Moneo . The German Geldkarte is also used to validate customer age at vending machines for cigarettes . </P> <P> These are the best known payment cards (classic plastic card): </P>

What is the difference between smart card and cash card