A magnetic stripe card is a type of card capable of storing data by modifying the magnetism of tiny iron-based magnetic particles on a band of magnetic material on the card. The magnetic stripe, sometimes called swipe card or magstripe, is read by swiping past a magnetic reading head. Magnetic stripe cards are commonly used in credit cards, identity cards, and transportation tickets. They may also contain an RFID tag, a transponder device and/or a microchip mostly used for business premises access control or electronic payment.
Magnetic stripes are increasingly used in many areas. Some examples of the use of the technology range from the familiar credit and debit cards, transit tickets, and access control cards to some applications you may not have been aware of. Telephone debit cards have a value associated with the card that is decremented every time the card is used. This information is stored on the magnetic stripe and is changed with every phone call. The new Airline Ticket Boarding Passes have a magnetic stripe on the back. If you have a card type ticket (not the old flimsy red tickets), you probably have a magnetic stripe on the back. The stripe is used to hold information about you and your flight. The latest new use for magnetic stripe is on your driver’s license. The stripe will allow error free identification of you when it is swiped through a terminal. This eliminates typing errors in copying from the license.
