What are Information Cards?

"Information Card" is an open standard for secure authentication on the Internet. It replaces the classic login procedure based on a user name and password with a new technology that allows users to administer their own digital identities and share them with the highest degree of security.
 

Information Card versions

There are two types of Information Cards, the Self-Issued Card and the Managed Card.

The Self-Issued Card is created by users themselves, and is suitable for simple online access such as for blogs or in chat rooms where the information does not have to be confirmed by a third party.

The Managed Card is created and issued by an identity provider, for example by a major online shop or an operator. The data on a Managed Card cannot be altered by the user, but he can decide whether this data is to be passed on to somebody else. This means that control over the distribution of personal data remains with the user (user-centric identity management) with Managed Cards as well. Behind this concept are sophisticated security and authentication mechanisms that ensure a high degree of data security.

The Information Card technology

To utilize the "Information Cards" technology, Internet users require a so-called "card selector" such as Windows CardSpace™ from Microsoft® (released with Windows Vista and Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0), Novell Bandit's DigitalMe card selector for Linux and MacOS, OpenInfoCard, CardPress™, Azigo™ or one of the Higgins range of selectors. The "Information Card" open standard is available for almost all operating systems and browsers. Card selector overview!

Information Card test

Test whether your system supports Information Cards: Information Card test

Advantages of Information Cards

• High security against phishing and trojans.
• The user determines which data he wants to pass on elsewhere (the user-centric approach).
• No more multiple registrations with user names and passwords.
• The Internet user quickly and easily receives a single login, the need to enter personal data is reduced to a minimum. The transfer of personal data over the Net becomes convenient, fast and above all secure.
• No installation required. The integration of Windows CardSpace™ in the operating system means that customers can start straight away without installing any software. Implementations are available for other platforms; it is an open standard design.