Smart Card Tamper Wiring to Disable Chip Transplant Fraud
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current EMV smart cards lack security measures to prevent the removal and transplantation of the chip, which can facilitate unauthorized transactions, and they retain transaction capabilities through magnetic stripes even when the chip is not functional.
Innovation Solution
A smart card with a tamper detection unit (TDU) and a tamper alerting system (SOTAS) that includes fragile electrical wires connecting the chip to a battery and magnetic stripe, which break upon removal, triggering an alert and disabling the chip and stripe, along with a kinetic energy generation system (KEGS) to power the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the chip is made removable for ease of replacement, then the adaptability of the smart card system is improved, but the security against unauthorized transactions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of tampering conditions before unauthorized transactions can occur. The TDU continuously monitors for chip removal attempts, and the SOTAS is pre-configured to disable the magnetic stripe and alert the issuer before any unauthorized use can take place.
Solution Approach 2:
The TDU acts as an intermediary monitoring system between the chip and the card's functional elements. It detects tampering conditions and mediates the response by triggering the SOTAS, which then disables the magnetic stripe and alerts the issuer, preventing unauthorized transactions.
2Ease of operation
If the magnetic stripe is kept functional as a backup, then the ease of operation is improved, but the security against chip removal exploits deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by disabling the magnetic stripe before it can be used for unauthorized transactions. When the TDU detects chip removal, the SOTAS immediately deactivates the magnetic stripe, preventing any potential exploitation before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring chip integrity through the TDU and automatically responding to tampering conditions. When tampering is detected, the SOTAS provides feedback by disabling the magnetic stripe and alerting the issuer, creating a closed-loop security system.
3Reliability
If tamper detection systems are added to detect chip removal, then the transaction security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the TDU and SOTAS into an integrated tamper detection and response system. The electrical connections that naturally exist in the smart card structure are utilized for both power/communication and tamper detection purposes, reducing the need for separate dedicated detection components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves multi-functionality by using the existing electrical infrastructure of the smart card for dual purposes: normal operational functions and tamper detection. The same electrical connections serve both the chip's operational needs and the TDU's monitoring functions, eliminating the need for entirely separate detection wiring.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents unauthorized chip removal by disabling the chip and magnetic stripe, alerting the issuer, and pausing transactions, enhancing security and integrity of smart card transactions.
Implementation Method 1
a kinetic energy generation system (KEGS) to power the system
Data Source
AI summary
A smart card with a hard-wired tamper detection system and near-field communication is provided. The smart card may include a tamper detection unit (“TDU”) that may include a smart chip embedded in the smart card. The smart chip may be connected to a battery by two electrical wires. The smart chip may be connected to a simplified onboard tamper alerting system (“SOTAS”) by one electrical wire. The smart card may include a stripe scrambling film on a magnetic stripe of the smart card. The SOTAS may be configured to alert an issuer of the smart card in response to a trigger of a tamper detection, the trigger may be a signal received from the TDU in response to a removal of the smart chip from the smart card thereby causing each of the three wires to fracture and may render the smart chip inoperable.