Using Windows CardSpace

Using Windows CardSpace

A new feature to Internet Explorer 7 and Windows Vista is the Windows CardSpace tool. CardSpace enables you to set up cards that let you log into web sites automatically, sort of like digital business cards. CardSpace includes the following features:

• Enables you to manage personal information on a card

• Enables you to set up multiple cards

• Provides a way for web sites to easily and consistently request information from you

• Lets you find the identity of a site you visit

• Enables you to double-check information you send to a site before actually sending it

Adding a CardSpace Card

You configure Windows CardSpace from Windows Vista Control Panel, not within IE 7. Do the following to set up a new card:

1. Choose Start Control Panel User Accounts And Family Safety.

2. Click the Windows CardSpace link. The Windows CardSpace-Welcome window appears, which describes CardSpace.

3. Click OK to clear the window and to display the Windows CardSpace window, as shown in Figure 26-6.

   
   Figure 26-6: Use Windows CardSpace to manage cards for logging into secure sites automatically.

4. Click Add A Card in the Tasks pane. The Add A Card window appears.

5. Click Create A Personal Card. (The Install A Managed Card option is for installing cards you have been issued from businesses or other organizations that create managed cards for you, such as a credit card company.) The Edit A New Card windows appears, as shown in Figure 26-7.

   
   Figure 26-7: Creating a new personal card.

6. Fill out the card.

7. Click Save to save your new card. The new card appears in the Windows CardSpace window.

Applying a Card

As you use the Web, some sites use CardSpace features to enable you to input information or to request CardSpace information. You can specify the personal card or managed card (depending on the site and transaction) that you want to send to a site.