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The card is a physical representation of your account number, readable with a magstripe scanner. It's analogous to a username written on a scrap of paper. Desp
by kstrauser 2y ago
The card is a physical representation of your account number, readable with a magstripe scanner. It's analogous to a username written on a scrap of paper.
Despite the misnomer, a PIN can't really be an identifier if you and I have the same one.
- ramesh31 2y ago>Despite the misnomer, a PIN can't really be an identifier if you and I have the same one. Sure it can, the namespace is just within your account. I am logging into account X (account number) as Person Y (PIN) with authorization Z (card)
- kstrauser 2y agoExcept my wife and I can both have the same PIN, so it's still not a unique identifier. A PIN is a password, not a username.
- GrinningFool 2y agoPerson Y and Person Z on account X could use the same PIN with different cards. A PIN is not an identifier.
- iggldiggl 2y ago> The card is a physical representation of your account number, readable with a magstripe scanner. Which is no longer true for EMV cards, though. There, the chip contains some additional data which cannot be easily copied and which helps identify the card as a bona fide real card issued by a bank. https://www.emv-connection.com/contact-chip-card-online-authentication/ https://www.emv-connection.com/contact-chip-card-online-auth... (there's also some alternative authentication method that would work offline, i.e. just between the card and the payment terminal)
- kstrauser 2y agoTrue, but for analogy purposes, it still maps back to a specific account somewhere.