A magnetic stripe card is a type of card that has a magnetic stripe on the back. This stripe contains information that can be read by a magnetic stripe reader.
Here is an analysis:
- How it works: When you swipe the card through a reader, the magnetic stripe passes by a read head that senses the changes in the magnetic field. These changes represent the encoded data.
- What’s stored on the stripe:
- Account Number: The primary identifier for the card.
- Cardholder Name: Often abbreviated.
- Expiration Date: When the card is no longer valid.
- Other Information: Depending on the card type, it may store other data like service codes or security information.
Common Uses:
- Credit Cards: One of the most common uses.
- Debit Cards:
- ATM Cards:
- Employee ID Cards:
- Access Control Cards:
- Loyalty Cards:
Security Considerations:
- Relatively Insecure: Magnetic stripe data can be easily copied or “skimmed” using devices that capture the magnetic information.
- Vulnerable to Fraud: This makes them susceptible to counterfeit cards and fraudulent transactions.