Magstripe

Magstripe, or magnetic stripe, is a black strip found on the back of credit cards, debit cards, and ID cards. It contains tiny magnetic particles that store data such as the cardholder’s account number and other information. When the card is swiped through a card reader, the reader's magnetic head detects and reads the data stored on the stripe. This process enables transactions and data verification. The magstripe is a simple, durable, and cost-effective way to securely transmit card information, though it’s being gradually replaced by more advanced technologies like chip and contactless systems.