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Chip and Pin, How does the pin part work

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  • 28-12-2012 12:25am
    #1
    teddy b123
    Registered Users Posts: 399 ✭✭


    Been curious as to how the pin in chip and pin works.
    Is the pin just stored on the chip in the card and verified off that or is it also stored centrally by the bank too?

    Is the pin also stored on the magnetic swipe portion of the card too?


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    #2
    Gordon
    Registered Users Posts: 35,524 ✭✭✭✭Gordon


    As far as I understand, it's stored in all three places. You can block your shopping pin (stored on the chip) but when you sync with ATM by putting in your PIN at the ATM, the ATM is reading the magnetic strip. I imagine the ATM then sends a message back to the bank to confirm the PIN is correct, gets the all clear, and synchronises the chip PIN to the magnetic PIN at the same time (or maybe you have to select 'unblock shopping PIN' from the PIN options or something').

    So if your PIN isn't working at point of sale it doesn't mean it won't work at an ATM. I think!


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    #3
    miller50841
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,525 ✭✭✭miller50841


    same idea as having pin on your phone it's saved onto the chip.
    This is why the skimmer people need your pin to clone your card and buy stuff unless they skim it and make online purchases


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    #4
    teddy b123
    Registered Users Posts: 399 ✭✭teddy b123


    I would assume it's not stored on the magnetic swipe section, One could then read the card, brute force 9999 different pins and get the pin


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    #5
    Gordon
    Registered Users Posts: 35,524 ✭✭✭✭Gordon


    Hmm, I think you're right actually! The ATM must send the PIN to the bank to confirm! However, your PIN is also stored on the chip afaiu, hence the shopping PIN block (unblock at ATM).

    Here's some googly info on the magnetic strip (not the chip): http://sidekick.windforwings.com/2008/02/how-are-atm-pins-validated.html


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    #6
    teddy b123
    Registered Users Posts: 399 ✭✭teddy b123


    Cheers for the replies, Just got curious when my card was swiped in branch once and was asked for my pin, Thought it was stored only on the chip and nowhere else!

    Wonder is it possible for the chip and pin pin and the centrally stored pin to get out of sync.


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    #7
    GerardKeating
    Registered Users Posts: 7,650 ✭✭✭GerardKeating


    teddy b123 wrote: »
    Been curious as to how the pin in chip and pin works.
    Is the pin just stored on the chip in the card and verified off that or is it also stored centrally by the bank too?

    Is the pin also stored on the magnetic swipe portion of the card too?

    There are two versions of how it works,

    UK & Ireland use "off-line" pin, much of Europe (esp Germany) use on-line pin

    With off-line PIN, the PIN in stored on the Card.


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