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List of Figures
Typographical Conventions
The following kinds of text formatting and icons identify special information in the document:
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Warnings mark situations where loss of data or misconfiguration of the device is possible if the instructions are not obeyed |
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Code and or command line examples |
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Items you must select, such as menu options, command buttons, or items in a list. Example: Go to the System tab. |
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Parameter and attribute names |
About this Guide
This document describes certgate’s microSD smartcard “cgCard” including its software architecture and general use.
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To understand this document you need knowledge in IT security and you should be familiar with the concept of smartcards. |
Due to that, this guide is intended for developers, system integrator and administrators who want to integrate the certgate microSD smartcard in their smartcard aware environment or software.
System Overview
Smartcards provide one of the most reliable and secure mechanism for storing digital certificates (identities) on a dedicated hardware modul which is specifically designed with security in mind. cgCard in combination with your software, provides you with the possibility to benefit from this great technology on your mobile and desktop applications.
Hardware
cgCard
cgCard is the first microSD card which integrates smartcard technology with regular flash memory.
It represents the most efficient way to use a certified Secure Element (EAL 5+) beyond desktop operating systems on mobile device such as smartphones, laptops and tablets without the need of any additional equipment.
Almost every mobile device has a microSD card slot. Meaning, almost every device available on the market can benefit from cgCard and its embedded, certified secure element. It has never been easier to create public-key pairs for encryption, generate secure random numbers or store existing digital certificates on a dedicated secure element. cgCard provides hardware based, tamper-proof, yet easy to use security for all sorts of applications. Just like any other smart card, only smarter.
Some of the functionality provided by cgCard is as follows:
- EAL 5+ certified micro controller
- Platform independent secure element for Windows, Linux, Android or BlackBerry10
- Hardware based certificate store for up to 12 certificates (depending on the used cardlet and keys)
- On-Card cryptographic key pair (RSA, etc.), signature (RSA, PKCS#15) or random number generation
Furthermore, additional advantages in using cgCard are:
- Supports every PKI and two-factor authentication
- Hardware based, dedicated secure element
- Easy to use, portable certificate store
- On-card signature generation (the private key never leaves the secure element)
- No need for additional hardware: cgCard can be used in every microSD card slot
- Flash memory for storing additional data
Software
Windows Driver - certgate PC/SC Driver
The certgate PC/SC Driver delivered with the smartcard, facilitates the interoperability necessary to allow cgCard to be effectively utilized in the PC environment.
Architecture
Software stack provided together with cgCard
Installation
The certgate PC/SC Driver is installed using the msi compatible setup packages. The following operating systems are supported:
- Windows 7 (32bit and 64bit)
- Windows 8 (32bit and 64bit)
- Windows 8.1 (32bit and 64bit)
- Windows 10 (32bit and 64bit)
The latest certgate PC/SC Driver Installer is located under:
“.\cgCard-windows…\pcsc-vx-driver-windows...\”
Please choose the appropriate version (32bit or 64bit) to be installed on your computer.
Silent Installation
To perform a silent installation of the certgate PC/SC Driver
- Go to command prompt
- Locate the path to the Windows Installer file certgate SmartCard microSD xx (v5.1.xx, Windows 7,8,8.1,10, 64 bit).msi
- Enter the below command
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> "certgate SmartCard microSD(v5.1.xx, Windows 7,8,8.1,10, 64 bit).msi " /exenoui /qn |
Manual Installation
The next paragraphs will detail the procedure for installing the PC/SC driver for cgCard on a Windows 10 x64 computer. The outlined procedure is almost the same for every other Windows operating system and other types of cgCard.
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| Run the corresponsing setup file (32bit or 64bit) needed for your system to open the “certgate SmartCard microSD Setup” which will guide you through the installation process. Click on “Next”. |
| Read the license agreement and if you agree to the terms and conditions, click “I accept the terms in the License Agreement” and procees the installation with “Next”. |
| On the Select Installation Folder page, use the selected default directory or click Browse to change the installation folder. The default directory is “C:\Program Files\certgate\certgate SmartCard microSD\” Click “Next”. |
| On the Ready to Install page, click “Install” to install the certgate PC/SC Driver. |
| Select “Always trust software from “certgate GmbH”” and click Install. |
| Finish the installation by clicking “Finish”. |
The installation process creates a shortcut cgPCSCVXTray in the Programs menu under Autostart.
The cgPCSCVXTray icon is displayed on the bottom right side of your taskbar and displays the status of your smartcard. The status can be as follows:
- No card inserted
- Card inserted
- Card in use
General Information (e.g. Version) about the cgPCSCVXTray can be displayed via Info.
The Exit button closes the cgPCSCVXTray.
Now the certgate microSD SmartCard is ready to be used (e.g. ready to load and install card applets). You have the possibility to load your own card applets. certgate provides with the cgSecurePlatform product the cryptovison PKCS#15 card applet and the corresponding middleware.
How to Get Support
If you have a problem with the cgCard (e.g. cgCard is not recognized by software or tray icon) and want to get support under [email protected] you shall include following information:
Versions
- cgCard type: “cgCard V4”, the black cards, “cgCard V1”, the yellow cards
- cgPCSC driver version displayed in the list of installed software “Programs and Features” or via right click on the cgPCSCVxTray icon and choose “Info”.
Platform
- Operating system name and version
- Used card reader (For example the name of the embedded microSD Slot, embedded SD Slot or USB Reader for microSD cards)
Log
The log file. By default it is located under:
C:\Program Files\certgate\certgate SmartCard microSD\logs\cgPCSCVx.log
Configure Logging
A standard log file is created by the driver it self everytime it is started by system. The log level and log file name of the driver is set via registry values and can be adopted if necessary.
To change these parameters, start