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Yubico PIN-on-Card

Source: https://www.grc.com/sn/sn-143.htm

STINA: We worked very closely. I asked all these stupid questions and, you
know. I can tell you, actually, you know, we started together working as a - we
actually co-founded a company called Cypak a few years ago, Jacob and I. And
this was in the RFID space. And one of the many applications for the technology
was the [indiscernible] smart card with a PIN keypad on the card itself. And we
called this card the PIN-on-Card. And we were very proud of it because it was
so secure. I mean, I think it could have been one of the most secure solutions
ever invented. We got the European Innovation Award, 200,000 euros for this.
And we were just, you know, the world wants, needs this. And we were just so
excited. Until we started talking with customers.

You know, we hadn't even thought about that this card - and it was very secure.
But it required a specific [indiscernible] chip built into a specific card with
an integrated keypad. And it had to be connected in our [indiscernible] reader.
And it needed client software. So when we actually - we were approached by an
online bank. And we were planning a pilot with them. But by the end of the day
they, you know, one of their bank guys called me up and said we really like the
automatic thing. But we don't like the card reader, and we don't like the
client software. Our customers, they are, you know, they are from all
platforms, all browsers. The Windows versions, the Mac, Firefox. And this
client software thing would probably require us to hire 30 new full-time
employees only to take care of all the online support.

So this bank guy, he said to us, you know, you're good inventors. But, you
know, you can come back when you've removed the client software and the reader.
So that was a good challenge. We, you know, we said okay, thanks, we'll make a
try. And we started to examine it, you know, looked at the computer, Jacob and
I, and I asked a stupid question, you know? I said, there's a keyboard to this
computer. You know, and that doesn't require a driver. And he said, hmm, yeah,
you're right. So, you know, why couldn't we make a code generator that's
simulating the HID driver, you know, acting the same way, with - and we, you
know. And, yes, that's where the idea started.

And so we went back to the bank. We got - first we got rid of the client
software, and then we made it into a USB fob to get rid of the reader. And we
reduced the 12 buttons to one little button. And this was the first version of
YubiKey. It was a fat, you know, looked almost like any other USB memory. And
that guy who looked at it, he said, hmm, this is an interesting concept. But
there's one problem. We prefer to buy security solutions from the big guys. So
anyway, I thought it was a good comment.

So this was in May 2007. And with this first prototype version of the YubiKey I
decided to start Yubico. I did not have a clear business plan. But I thought it
was the only problem was that I was not a big guy. It was [indiscernible]. And
the name Yubico came from the word "ubiquitous." I did not want a name that had
anything to do with secure, verified, ID, trust, you know, all these boring
other names that are out there.

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# 2007, via Wayback Machine

The YubiCard

To prevent the emerging online credit card fraud, Yubico presents the YubiCard;
a new, simple and secure way for paying online with a new credit card number
every time.

The user inserts the YubiCard in the USB-port and places the cursor in the
credit card field. With a simple click on the YubiCard button the YubiCard
sends the one time credit card number to the service provider, without the need
of copying the 16 digit number from the card to the computer. Next, the user
moves the cursor to the verification code field, presses the YubiCard button a
second time and the device generates the 3 or 4 digits verification number.

The YubiCard is designed for online banks and financial companies who want to
offer their customers a secure and convenient way to pay online. The solution
works from any computer with a USB-port, at any website using credit card
payments and with no client software needed.

The YubiCard is based on the same hardware as Yubico's core product; the
YubiKey. The ultra-thin design comes in a customized plastic sleeve the size of
a credit card and has a practically unlimited life time due to the robust and
battery-free design.

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