How to configure and use a reiner SCT card reader with a german ID in Linux Mint

How to configure and use a reiner SCT card reader with a german ID in Linux Mint. The German ID card is a smart card that can be used for authentication in many government websites. In order to use it

IMPORTANT: You need a PIN to use the card reader. If you don’t have it, you can get it from the Bürgeramt. Without the PIN, you can’t use the card as an authentication method. If you try to force it, you will block the card, and you will need to get a new one. You have been warned.

Context

The German ID card is a smart card that can be used for authentication in many government websites. In order to use it, you need a card reader. You can use a Smartphone as a SmartReader on Windows and macOS. I haven’t tried it to do it on Linux. The other option is to use a card reader. I bought a used a Reiner SCT cyberJack RFID standard from KleinAnzeigen.

In this post, I will explain how to configure and use a Reiner SCT card reader with a German ID in Linux Mint. I am using Linux Mint 21 Cinnamon (Vanessa).

Why is this interesting?

There are several services available online be Finanz Amt, Stadt Essen and other government agencies. You can use the card to authenticate yourself and use the services. For example…