Abstract: A biometric authentication method if provided for an individual to be authenticated amongst a very large quantity of individuals with an authentication system storing a set of reference information each associated to one of the individuals. The reference information is distributed across a plurality of sub-databases. The method includes a phase of adding reference information representative of a new individual, including selecting the sub-database that is best adapted to store the reference information to be added.

Abstract: A method is provided for authenticating a carrier of a portable object having a memory for memorising at least one item of secret information. The method includes: authentication processing of a signature provided by said carrier, taking account of said secret information; supplying an item of information for the authentication decision, positive or negative, implementing, in a non volatile memory of said portable object, an incorrect signature indicator which may adopt a value indicating a normal situation and at least one value indicating an abnormal situation. The step of implementing including: after said information supplying step, writing, in said incorrect signature indicator, a value indicating an abnormal situation, if said authentication decision is negative; and before said authentication step, and if said incorrect signature indicator contains a value indicating an abnormal situation, a step generating a delay.

Abstract: A method is provided to exchange data reserved for a user or a group of users with personal equipment. The method includes a step of short-distance communication of the data, for example of the NFC type, between the personal equipment and a secure terminal determined by an identification of the user and by a detection of the personal equipment in the vicinity of the secure terminal. The secure terminal preferably obtains the data from an integrated source by a secure end-to-end connection.

Abstract: A secure display device is designed to display on a screen a first set of information edited by an open operating system. A secure operating system resident in a dedicated circuit edits a second set of information. A filter allocates, independently of the open operating system, a first zone of the screen to the first set of information and a second zone of the screen to the second set of information. The zones and can have a non-zero intersection and any value. A real video memory is used for transferring the two sets of information to the screen under the sole control of the secure operating system so as to produce a secure display of the second set of information.

Abstract: An electronic payment terminal includes a data entry device, a processor and a memory. The memory contains a structure arranged to list at least one customer identifier, a personal identification number and an amount, all associated. The memory also contains a program having comprising instructions for storing, in an example of the structure after entry, the customer identifier and the personal identification number. The same example of the structure is then updated locally by payments out and in made on the terminal on behalf of the customer identified.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for updating reference data. The method includes a step of providing update data structured according to a given data structure. The data structure has at least two streams of data, wherein one of the streams includes patterns of instructions to a processor, and at least one other stream includes patterns of operands of the instructions. The operands and the instructions are designed for updating the reference data upon processing the update data at a processor. Also, a computer executable program code is provided, which is stored in a computer readable medium or in a signal, suitable for implementation of the method. Further, a terminal (e.g. a payment terminal or electronic funds transfer at point of sale) is provided, which includes a memory with the program code stored thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for securing a mobile digital processing device. The method includes: a protective step that is self-activated when the mobile device measures an evolutionary value approaching a threshold value and wherein the mobile device executes a protective action; and includes a step of self-setting the evolutionary value when the mobile device and a holder associated therewith are detected in a common vicinity. The evolutionary value is positioned at a value remote from the threshold value, so as to allow the evolutionary value to approach the threshold value naturally, when the mobile device and the holder are no longer detected in a common vicinity.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided, which includes at least one external input, a power supply and a plurality of elementary components, each having at least one internal input and at least one internal output. The circuit further includes at least one test unit having an AND gate, each input of which is connected to an internal output of one of the elementary components and an output of which is connected to the power supply via a resistor.

Abstract: A hardware security module is provided, which includes: a memory able to store a secret; a processor coupled to the memory; a sealed chamber containing a gas; a transducer coupled to the processor, sensitive to a property of the gas, able to convert this property into a signal and to supply this signal to the processor. The processor is able to generate or accept a secret in the event of the reception of a signal, supplied by the transducer, corresponding to a first substantial variation in said property of the gas. The processor is able to act on the secret in the event of the reception of a signal, supplied by the transducer, corresponding to a second substantial variation in said property of the gas. A method is also provided for commissioning such a module as well as an electronic payment terminal including this module.

Abstract: A method is provided for auditing compliance of an electronic platform, referred to as the platform being tested, and/or a computer program being tested, which is present on the platform being tested. The method includes the following steps: transmitting the same data set, via an auditing device, to the platform being tested, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, to a compliant reference platform present in the auditing device; and deciding upon the compliance of the platform being tested and/or the computer program being tested, based on an analysis of the respective behaviors of the platform being tested and the reference platform. The auditing device then issues a compliance decision.

Abstract: A process is provided for deterring the theft of notes equipped with a radio-tag type authenticity check element, capable of returning an item of authenticity information, in response to an authentication request emitted by a check device. Such a process includes the following steps: transmission to the check element of at least one inactivation code, rendering the note invalid; storage and/or transport of the invalid note; and reactivation of the check element, using at least one activation code, depending on the inactivation code, rendering the note valid.

Abstract: A method is provided for supplying data representative of transactions between a client and at least one merchant, via a banking institution. The banking institution issues a statement to the client which, for each transaction, includes a statement line containing at least one reference for said transaction and/or the merchant, and an amount corresponding thereto. The method includes a transaction phase, including: storing data representative of said transaction, in a statement server; acquiring and storing, in an illustrative data server, at least one information representative of a photograph and/or illustration representative of said merchant, called illustrative information. A supplying phase includes: creating the statement, associating to at least one of the statement lines the data representative of the transaction and at least some of the illustrative information, and/or at least one information pointing via one hyperlink to at least some of said illustrative information, called access information.

Abstract: The invention aims at ensuring the security of personal data from a remote server to a final user carrying out purchasing operations, for example. This is achieved by a system comprising a remote-control unit and a multimedia unit provided with means to be connected to a telecommunication network, said multimedia unit comprising a central unit, a non-volatile storage and an input for signals from the remote-control unit. The invention is characterised in that the remote-control unit comprises a unique identification code and means for encrypting data to be transmitted to the multimedia based on said unique code, the multimedia unit comprising means for decrypting the received data.