# Smart Card Chips. Ripping, Burning, etc
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-card-chips-ripping-burning-etc/396848
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [March 21, 2007, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-card-chips-ripping-burning-etc/396848 "2007-03-21T11:55:22Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)
#### Post date: [March 21, 2007, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-card-chips-ripping-burning-etc/396848/1 "2007-03-21T11:55:22Z")
I have a smart card reader on my computer. I assume it is capable of writing information to the smartcard as well.
What I would like to do is Rip Certificates from a chip and copy them on to a new chip. What software do I need to do this?
Anything else I need to know about doing such a thing?
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### Author:  [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)
#### Post date: [March 21, 2007, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-card-chips-ripping-burning-etc/396848/2 "2007-03-21T12:10:44Z")
Use ecplorer to copy the file to the hard drive and inset the new smart card. Reverse the procedure. Some readers are only readers like the one I have in a printer.
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### Author:  [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)
#### Post date: [March 21, 2007, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-card-chips-ripping-burning-etc/396848/3 "2007-03-21T14:57:23Z")
That’s much like trying to use explorer to copy a DVD or a CD, isn’t it? Doesn’t seem like it would work. But could you be more detailed? The Smart Card does not show up as an external drive or something that can be “explored”. When I double click on the SmartCard Reader icon in my task tray, it brings up all this information that is on the card, but I have no way of copying that info my computer.
You make it sound really simple though, so obviously I’m doing something wrong or missing something. I assumed I needed some type of ripping software designed to copy the Security Certificates and other info on a Smart Card.
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### Author:  [@Cleophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cleophus)
#### Post date: [March 21, 2007, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-card-chips-ripping-burning-etc/396848/4 "2007-03-21T16:54:31Z")
[QUOTE=Bear\_Nenno]
That’s much like trying to use explorer to copy a DVD or a CD, isn’t it? Doesn’t seem like it would work. But could you be more detailed? The Smart Card does not show up as an external drive or something that can be “explored”. When I double click on the SmartCard Reader icon in my task tray, it brings up all this information that is on the card, but I have no way of copying that info my computer.
You make it sound really simple though, so obviously I’m doing something wrong or missing something. I assumed I needed some type of ripping software designed to copy the Security Certificates and other info on a Smart Card.
[/QUOTE]
I think **Harmonious Discord** is referring to SmartMedia flash memory. I take it you are referring to the credit-card sized authentication devices?
Unfortunately, this [Wikipedia article](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_card#Cryptographic_smart_cards) suggests that the design of some smart cards is intended to prevent exactly what you are trying to do. If the certificate is signed by a key on the card, you may be able to copy the certificate, but it will no longer be valid.
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### Author:  [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)
#### Post date: [March 21, 2007, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-card-chips-ripping-burning-etc/396848/5 "2007-03-21T17:25:45Z")
[QUOTE=Cleophus]
I think **Harmonious Discord** is referring to SmartMedia flash memory. I take it you are referring to the credit-card sized authentication devices?
Unfortunately, this [Wikipedia article](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_card#Cryptographic_smart_cards) suggests that the design of some smart cards is intended to prevent exactly what you are trying to do. If the certificate is signed by a key on the card, you may be able to copy the certificate, but it will no longer be valid.
[/QUOTE]
Yup, that’s what I’m talking about. It appears one would need some serious hacker skills to pull off what I wanted. Damn.
Any serious h@XZ0Rs have advice?
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### Author:  [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)
#### Post date: [March 21, 2007, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-card-chips-ripping-burning-etc/396848/6 "2007-03-21T23:09:30Z")
[QUOTE=Bear\_Nenno]
Yup, that’s what I’m talking about. It appears one would need some serious hacker skills to pull off what I wanted. Damn.
Any serious h@XZ0Rs have advice?
[/QUOTE]
And with that, let’s put this one to bed.
**samclem**