A novel magnetic card protection system
Mike Chu · 1995
We propose a protection method for magnetic card against counterfeit by recording a unique digital signature in the magnetic stripe using 'fuzzy' characteristics of partial magnetized particle. Under this scheme, a novel protection system is developed with three verification layers. Using the characteristics of the 'fuzzy' bits, a unique and non-duplicable digital signature is implemented in the magnetic card which gives an instant identification of duplicated forgery and card abuse. The main advantages of this protection system are low implementation cost (mostly software implementation is required), entirely compatible to existing card system (reader can distinguish between currently used and new protected cards), provide a digital means of verifying a magnetic card and improve security.