SmartSwipe Card Reader

(3.0 star rating) Written by: Samuel Warren

Security in online purchases is becoming more and more of an issue with consumers these days. With the broad array of spyware, malware, and phishing websites, identity thieves constantly assault us with their malicious attacks. With these attacks on the rise, consumers find themselves looking to products to protect their information not just online, but also locally on their PC.

We've taken a look at a few security related products in the past – such as the Ironkey – but never a gadget with the sole purpose of protecting credit card information while shopping online. SmartSwipe is a product with exactly that goal.

Design

The idea behind smart swipe is dead simple. Just as you would swipe your card in a retail store, SmartSwipe is attempting to give you the same experience when shopping online. When you reach the checkout page of the online retailer, you simply click the smart swipe button, and follow the prompts. The SmartSwipe software stores the information in an encrypted format until you are ready to submit the data to the retailer. At this point SmartSwipe decrypts the data and sends it to the retailer ensuring that your credit card number was never viewable in plain text, or caught via keyloggers that record keyboard input.

Features

• Plug and Play Installation – Just run the installation software and plug the device into an open USB port.
• Automatic Updates – As our software becomes more advanced, we will automatically share these enhancements with you.
• SmartSwipe works within your existing browser security – this means that you can continue to shop online as you always have and SmartSwipe will work with you.
• You will never have to manually enter in your credit card information. Just swipe and SmartSwipe will do the rest for you.
• The Internet is constantly changing and SmartSwipe is smart enough to change with it.
• Onboard Cryptographic Provider – Your credit card information is protected as you swipe your card through the device.
• SmartSwipe makes your sensitive credit card information immune to most kinds of malicious software attacks.

SmartSwipe Box

Box Opened

Overhead

Setup

The contents of the packaging are relatively straight forward. It comes with the card reader with built in USB cable, a small stand, and paperwork providing the location where you can download the software to use with the hardware. While it was a bit annoying that this didn't come with a cd of the software, it is becoming more commonplace to include installation instructions that require downloading software form the company's website. The software is compatible with Internet Explorer only. You cannot use this product with FireFox, Chrome, or Safari. Likewise the only platform that is supported is Microsoft Windows, while Linux and Apple's OS X are not supported. 

Usage and Testing

From a security standpoint the SmartSwipe is very well designed. Attempting normal cracking techniques - including keylogging and reverse engineering of the software - proved futile. The software's code is obfuscated well enough to stop simple attacks using code reflecting tools. While other exploits might be possible using problems with the security of Internet Explorer's ActiveX control API, I was unable to find any that could relinquish the credit card information stored in this case.

We tried this card reader at multiple websites to see how well it performed. Some sites worked perfectly well although the overall speed of the SmartSwipe software was slow on some sites, but performed better on others. Updating credit card information on paypal.com worked well, although the attempt to purchase on Overstock.com ended rather frustratingly without a purchase made. If the software were faster, the process could be a lot easier.

The actual card swipe hardware itself doesn't work without the included software either. It should not be expected to be used for commercial purposes. Although it would be interesting to see this type of product in public places like libraries where credit card information could be harvested rather easily.

Side View

Holder

With Card

SmartSwipe Credit Card Reader

Overall the SmartSwipe does a good job of protecting your personal credit card information, which is the main purpose of the product and it is commendable that it achieves this. At an average online price of $50-$70, the added protection does not come at too hefty of a price. Considering the hundreds of dollars you would likely lose if your credit card information is stolen, along with the risk of full identity theft, the SmartSwipe is not too steeply priced.

However, the compatibility with only one major web browser and the failure to complete a transaction on a major online retailing site are huge issues. While we could forgive the rather slow software if that were the only issue, we can't recommend this product with it's current shortcomings.

Pros: Protects as advertised; Unable to crack with a Keylogger; Relatively inexpensive.

Cons: Slow browser software; Only works in Internet Explorer; Failed with a major online retailer.

Rating: 3.0 out of 5

smartswipe.ca