mágnescsíkelolvasók

Magnetic stripe readers, known in Hungarian as mágnescsíkelolvasók, are electronic devices that capture information encoded on the magnetic stripe of cards, such as credit and debit cards, identification cards, and membership cards. The magnetic stripe contains three tracks of data that can be read by a reader that uses a thin ferromagnetic ribbon and a small coil to detect changes in magnetic flux as the card is swiped or inserted.

The basic operating principle relies on the induction of a voltage in the coil when the magnetic domains on the stripe are moved past it. The reader converts this signal into binary information that is then transmitted to a host computer or point‑of‑sale system. Modern readers typically support the ISO/IEC 7813 and ISO/IEC 7811 standards, which define key aspects of the card structure, track format, and encoding schemes.

Readers are available in several form factors. Contactless readers use RF or NFC to interact with magstriped cards that are placed near the reader. Swipe readers require manual insertion or motion; contact readers need the card to be mechanically introduced into the device. Some readers integrate dual‑mode operations that combine magnetic stripe and chip (EMV) reading or embedded RFID.

Security features include flattening the magnetic stripe to prevent after‑image capture, as well as software‑based logic that detects anomalies such as unusual field strength or timing. However, magnetic stripe data can still be cloned if the stripe is viewed, leading to ongoing usage of personal identification number (PIN) or two‑factor authentication for added protection.

Magnetic stripe readers remain widely used due to their low cost, simplicity, and global compatibility, but newer technologies like chip cards, contactless payments, and biometric identification are gradually increasing in prevalence.