# Using smart card redirection

## Introduction

Using ThinLinc, it is possible to access the locally connected smart cards and smart card readers from the ThinLinc session. This means that you can use smart cards for encrypting your email, signing documents and authenticating against remote systems.

## Requirements

- The application which communicates with the smart card must be using the PC/SC API and be dynamically linked to pcsc-lite.

## Enabling smart card redirection

Smart card redirection is always activated on the server so there is no administration required to enable it.

## Limitations and additional information

- When a client disconnects, all smart cards and smart card readers will disappear for the applications. Some applications do not handle hot-plug and must therefore be restarted when this happens.