This software offers tools, libraries, and a PKCS#11 module that enables the use of smart cards and initialization of blank ones.
I recently had the pleasure of using OpenSC, a software package that includes a range of tools and libraries for smart card usage. One of the standout features of OpenSC is its PKCS#11 module, which makes initializing and using blank smart cards a breeze.
What's great about this software is its compatibility with a wide range of commercial smart cards. National ID cards (in a read-only capacity) are also supported, as are some Java Card cards with specific Java Card applets. Furthermore, OpenSC fully implements the PKCS#15 standard, making it easy to use cards initialized with OpenSC with other software which has also implemented this standard, and vice versa.
Some of the many supported national ID cards include the Finnish ID card (FINEID), the Swedish Posten eID, the Estonian ID card (EstEID), the Italian Infocamere and Postecert, the Belgian eID, the Spanish Ceres and a range of German ID cards such as the eHBA and eGK. The list of supported smart cards is impressive, featuring popular choices like Schlumberger/Axalto Cryptoflex and Cyberflex, Gemplus GPK, EMV, Siemens CardOS M4, IBM JCOP, and Micardo. Users will also find support for Oberthur, OpenPGP, Setec Setcos, Giesecke & Devrient Starcos, as well as TCOS-based cards like NetKey E4, SignTrust, and Smartkey.
OpenSC's support for USB tokens is excellent as well, with compatibility for the Aladdin eToken Pro, Eutron CryptoIdendity IT-SEC, Schlumberger/Axalto e-gate, and Rainbow iKey 3000.
Overall, I found OpenSC to be a robust solution for smart card usage, and I would highly recommend it to anyone in need of secure, reliable software for working with smart cards.
What's great about this software is its compatibility with a wide range of commercial smart cards. National ID cards (in a read-only capacity) are also supported, as are some Java Card cards with specific Java Card applets. Furthermore, OpenSC fully implements the PKCS#15 standard, making it easy to use cards initialized with OpenSC with other software which has also implemented this standard, and vice versa.
Some of the many supported national ID cards include the Finnish ID card (FINEID), the Swedish Posten eID, the Estonian ID card (EstEID), the Italian Infocamere and Postecert, the Belgian eID, the Spanish Ceres and a range of German ID cards such as the eHBA and eGK. The list of supported smart cards is impressive, featuring popular choices like Schlumberger/Axalto Cryptoflex and Cyberflex, Gemplus GPK, EMV, Siemens CardOS M4, IBM JCOP, and Micardo. Users will also find support for Oberthur, OpenPGP, Setec Setcos, Giesecke & Devrient Starcos, as well as TCOS-based cards like NetKey E4, SignTrust, and Smartkey.
OpenSC's support for USB tokens is excellent as well, with compatibility for the Aladdin eToken Pro, Eutron CryptoIdendity IT-SEC, Schlumberger/Axalto e-gate, and Rainbow iKey 3000.
Overall, I found OpenSC to be a robust solution for smart card usage, and I would highly recommend it to anyone in need of secure, reliable software for working with smart cards.
What's New
Version 0.11.7: N/A