Smart Card Physical Best Practices?

[David Tomaschik]

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I've recently received my smart card, but was wondering what the "best
practices" are, mainly from a physical standpoint.  When I use it in
my laptop reader, it sticks about 2" out of the side, and I have some
concern about this (i.e., getting damaged by being pushed into
something, etc.).  I am using the Authentication key on it for SSH,
and the normal signing & encryption operations, so I suppose I need it
when sending signed email and signing into a system.  Do most people
leave it in the computer most of the time, or just insert it as
needed?  This brings to mind: how many insertion cycles can these
cards handle?  Looking online, various smart cards are rated anywhere
from 10,000 to 250,000 insertions.  (At 10,000, as few as 10
insertions per day would net a 3 year lifetime.)

I hope this all makes sense...

David
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