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EMV Application Version Number on card and terminal

Online & Authorization

Application Version Number

The Application Version Number is the version number of the application on the card. For example, the Visa VSDC application version number is 131, and the Mastercard M/Chip Lite version number is 2.

ISO 8583 F124 field structure and subfield breakdown

ISO 8583

ISO 8583 Field Descriptions (F124)

F124 (Private Additional Data) contains additional information specific to the transaction, such as Card Update Failure Code and Status, cardholder name in money transfers, and keys in network management messages.

Illustration of a phone scam call impersonating a bank

Security

We're Calling From the Bank, Your Account Has Been Compromised...

Fraud cases where scammers pose as bank staff or other institution employees to obtain citizens' banking information have increased significantly recently. Interestingly, the new fraud trend closely mirrors the steps of a genuine banking procedure.

Diagram of a smartphone using Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) to emit a signal that mimics a card's magnetic stripe at a POS terminal

Merchant & POS

What is MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission)?

Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) is a mobile payment technology in which devices such as smartphones emit a signal that mimics the magnetic stripe on a traditional payment card, letting a physical card's POS use be imitated without upgrading terminal software or hardware.

Illustration of EMV chip card technology used in VSDC and M/Chip-Lite applications

Credit Card

What is VSDC (Visa Smart Debit Credit) and M/Chip-Lite?

EMV chip cards contain a small, powerful microprocessor that provides enhanced security, faster transactions, and support for loyalty programs. VSDC is Visa's chip-based solution; M/Chip-Lite is Mastercard's low-cost equivalent for banks starting their chip migration.

Diagram showing how the iCVV code is generated for EMV chip cards

Credit Card

What Is iCVV? How Is It Generated?

iCVV stands for Integrated Circuit Card Verification Value. To prevent fraud, it is a CVV value generated similarly to the card's track data and stored on the card's chip. Visa uses the term iCVV; MasterCard and American Express use their own equivalents.

Diagram of PIN Encryption Key (PEK) structure

HSM & Security

What is PEK (Pin Encryption Key)?

PEK is the abbreviation for Pin Encryption Key. The role of PEK is to encrypt PINs. There are two types of PEK: TPK (Terminal Pin Key) and ZWK (Zone Working Key).

PIN pad device connected to a POS terminal

Merchant & POS

What Is a PIN Pad Device?

A PIN pad lets cardholders safely enter their PIN during POS transactions and lets contactless cards be tapped to transfer card data to the POS. Here is how it works.

Photo of a Pin Entry Device (PIN pad) used for card payments

Merchant & POS

What is a Pin Entry Device (PED)?

Pin Entry Device is another name for the PIN pad device we all know and use daily. It makes it easier for users to enter their card PIN during POS transactions with credit or debit cards, and is used for contactless card reading...