Skip to content

Search

"Track 2"

39 articles found

Illustration explaining how a card's CVV value is generated

Credit Card

How is CVV generated?

CVV is a very critical 3-digit value used during a card's authorization process. The CVV value is encoded in the card's magnetic stripe data (Track 1 and Track 2). Is it generated by an algorithm or chosen at random?

Payment card illustrating magnetic stripe data used for PIN verification

Credit Card

What is PVV (PIN Verification Value)?

PVV is the number encoded on a card's magnetic stripe that allows the cardholder's PIN to be verified by ATMs and POS terminals. It is a 4-digit cryptogram calculated through a cryptographic operation using the PIN and card data. The real result is longer than 4 digits.

Comparison of CVV security code locations on a standard card and an American Express card

Credit Card

Is the CVV/CVC Code Always 3 Digits?

First, let's briefly explain CVV/CVC. CVV stands for Card Verification Value, a term used for Visa. CVC stands for Card Verification Code, a term used for MasterCard. The CVV/CVC code is used for cardholder verification and to reduce fraud risk.

Diagram explaining how the CVV/CVC code is generated and verified on payment cards

Credit Card

What is CVV/CVC?

CVV is short for Card Verification Value, a term used by Visa. CVC is short for Card Verification Code, a term used by MasterCard. The CVV/CVC code is used for cardholder verification and to reduce fraud risk.

Diagram explaining PVKI and PVV calculation in card PIN verification

Credit Card

What Is PVKI (PIN Verification Key Index)?

PVKI is the abbreviation for PIN Verification Key Index. It is located within the card's Track 1 and Track 2 data and is used in PVV calculation. It can take values from 1 to 6, usually defaulting to 1.

Table showing service code values and their meanings for payment cards

Credit Card

What is the Service Code on Cards?

The service code is information printed on a card's Track 1 and Track 2 data, covering card type, PIN usage, and domestic/international usage status. It is kept at the product level in bank systems.

Diagram illustrating the Card Verification Key (CVK) concept

Credit Card

What is CVK (Card Verification Key)?

CVK (Card Verification Key) is the key information used to generate and verify CVV/CVC values, confirming their validity. It is kept as a pair of keys, CVK A and CVK B, encrypted under TMK, ZMK or LMK.

Diagram illustrating the structure of an ISO 8583 message field

ISO 8583

ISO 8583 Field Descriptions (F14)

F14 - DATE, EXPIRATION DATE: the expiration date printed on the card by the issuing bank, a 4-digit numeric value in YYMM format. See how it's checked and why the YYMM order matters.

EMV Application Transaction Counter ATC 9F36

Online & Authorization

Application Transaction Counter (ATC)

The Application Transaction Counter is the number of transactions made with the card so far. It increases by 1 with each transaction and can also be used as a transaction number, making transactions easier to track.

Illustration representing credit card fraud and online payment security risks

Fraud

What is Fraud? What are the Types of Fraud?

With the growth of credit and debit card usage and rising e-commerce transaction volumes, there has been a serious increase in exploiting user negligence to harm customers. Fraud means using someone else's card at a merchant or ATM to gain unjust profit.

Illustration representing credit card loyalty points and rewards

Merchant & POS

What are Loyalty Points?

Loyalty points are promotional rewards banks give customers for credit card transactions, tracked on a card/customer basis. Banks charge merchants a commission on POS transactions, and some share part of that commission with cardholders as points.