What is the purpose of the magnetic strip?

A magnetic stripe card is a type of pass that permits the user to complete electronic transactions or access a locked physical space. The “stripe” contains embedded information that identifies its user.

How do magnetic strips work?

The magnetic strip on a card can be ‘written’ or encoded with information because the tiny iron-based particles that make up the strip can be magnetized in different directions by a device that produces a strong magnetic field. This device is a ‘solenoid’, which is basically a coil wound into a tightly packed helix.

How does magnetic stripe protect information?

Magnetic-stripe cards are, well, magnetized. When you swipe them, the payment processor reads their magnetic fields and matches them to your bank account information. The problem with this is that the data is static, making it easier for fraudsters to lift your information and clone it onto a new card.

What is another name for the magnetic strip?

Magnetic stripe is also known as magstripe.

Can my cell phone erase my credit card?

Diandra Leslie-Pelecky: “Any magnetic field can erase a credit card. The bigger the magnetic field, the more likely that you’re going to erase the data. Cell phones do have a magnetic field, but it’s pretty low.” They will erase a credit card really quickly.

What do you need to know about magnetic stripes?

Understanding magnetic stripe cards. Order magnetic stripe cards. Magnetic stripes or mag stripes, are the dark strip of magnetic material often seen on the back of gift cards , loyalty cards and membership cards, which are used in conjunction with a POS system. Mag stripe cards are also used in access control as key cards,…

What makes up the magnetic stripe on a credit card?

A magnetic stripe on the back of a credit card or gift card store small bits of information. Magnetic card readers retrieve that information when the credit card is used to make a purchase. The magnetic stripe, or magstripe, is made up of tiny iron-based magnetic particles in a plastic-like film.

How does an encoder on a magnetic strip work?

How Does Magnetic Strip Encoding Work? If you are unfamiliar, a magnetic strip encoder is a device that writes data onto the magnetic strip on the back of your ID card. This process allows for your card to serve a bigger purpose than simply providing visual identification.

What can you do with a mag stripe card?

Mag stripe cards are also used in access control as key cards, as well as on ID cards. They come in two main varieties: high-coercivity (HiCo) and low-coercivity (LoCo). High-coercivity magstrips are harder to erase, and are more appropriate for cards that are frequently used or require extended life.