Advantages of magnetic stripe readers

Disadvantages of magnetic stripe

readers
Uses of magnetic stripe » Fast data entry, rather than keying in
Magnetic Strip Reader readers with a keyboard or keypad.
» If the magnetic stripe gets damaged
Many plastic cards, such » On credit/debit cards » Error-free (because no typing is involved).
(for example, due to exposure to a
as credit cards, have a for use at ATMs or » Secure (information not in human
strong magnetic field) the data is lost.
strip of material that EFTPOS (electronic readable form and, because there is no
» Does not work at a distance (card
can be magnetised on funds transfer at typing, removes the risk of somebody
needs to be in close contact with
the back. Data can be point of sale) terminals. observing your key strokes).
reader)
stored here in the form » Security devices to » Prevents access to restricted/secure
» Because the information is not
of magnetised dots. allow entry to buildings, areas.
human readable, this can be a
hotel rooms, etc. » Not affected by oil, water, moisture, etc.
disadvantage in
» No moving parts – so physically very
Disadvantages of using contactless cards some applications.
Advantages of using contactless cards robust.

» Higher Cost: They are more expensive than traditional credit/debit Contactless debit card readers
» Faster transactions (typical transaction takes 10 seconds as
cards.
opposed to 30 seconds using magnetic stripe reader).
Contactless debit or credit cards allow Advantages of chip and
Chip & Pin readers Disadvantages of chip
» Security Risks: A potential risk exists where a thief with a suitable customers to pay for items worth up PIN readers
» The contactless card system uses 128-bit encryption systems to Uses of chip and PIN
reader could monitor transactions, especially in close proximity. to a and PIN readers
Modern credit cards and ID protect the data Optical mark readers
However, not having to enter a PIN reduces the risk of PIN theft. certain amount of money without » More secure system than
cards don’t use a magnetic recognition (OMR) is a » Where payments are
entering their PIN. All contactless » Fraud – need to be
strip. Instead they have a device which can read made using cards contactless payments (PIN
» Customers do not have to worry about typing errors (such as careful to ensure PIN is
» Double Charging: There's a possibility of dual charges if the customer cards have a small chip that emits typed in must match up
tiny ‘chip’ of computer incorrectly typing in a PIN) marks written in pen (restaurants,
uses the card both as a contactless and chip and PIN card. radio waves embedded in them. The not read by somebody
memory embedded inside or pencil on a form. supermarkets, travel with PIN stored on chip).
card is held within a else while
them. (These cards are agents, etc.). » More robust system than
» Retailers no longer have access to the customer’s credit/debit card typing it in.
» Transaction Limitations: Transactions are often restricted to a small few centimetres of the payment magnetic stripe cards.
often referred to as smart information.
maximum value, such as $50. terminal to pay for an item; the
cards.)
terminal picks
» The chip in the contactless credit card responds to the payment
» Potential Unauthorized Transactions: In some cases, transactions up the signal from the chip and allows Uses of OCR
terminal reader with a unique number used for that transaction
have been carried out without the cardholder's awareness, though the transaction to be processed.
only; it does not simply transmit the consumer’s account number;
advancements in technology have minimized this risk in many Optical Character » One of the most recent uses is the Advantages of OCR
this number is also encrypted
countries. Recognition (OCR) is a processing of passports and identity
Disadvantages of OCR
software technology that cards. » It is a much faster
2.1 & 2.2 Direct data can convert images of text » Converting hard copy documents into data entry system than
» The system still has
entry ( DDE ) devices into an actual text file that electronic form which can be stored on manually keying in
difficulty reading some
can then be edited (e.g. a computer. data.
handwriting.
using word-processing » Used in automatic number plate » Because there is no
» Still not a very
software). The result is just recognition (ANPR) systems in car parks. manual data entry, the
accurate technique.
as if the text had been » Digitising historic newspapers and rare number of errors is also
typed in by hand. books so they can be archived and reduced.
Uses of barcode systems
Disadvantages of barcode Advantages of barcode systems used by researchers, preventing damage
systems to the originals.
» Retail Management: Commonly used in supermarkets
» Much faster than keying in data manually
and shops to provide information about products,
» Relatively expensive system and fewer mistakes will be made. A barcode is simply a
facilitating automatic stock control and itemized billing.
to administer numeric code
» If used as a way of recording safety represented as a series
» Library Management: Utilized in libraries for tracking
» Not fool-proof (barcodes testing of components (for instance of lines.
books on loan, helping with efficient cataloging and Advantages of OMR devices Disadvantages of OMR devices
can be swapped around on electrical components) they can help These lines can be read
management.
items) improve safety. by a barcode reader/ Uses of OMR devices
» Very fast way of inputting » The forms need to be carefully
scanner. » Used to read
» Safety Compliance: Implemented in many companies as the results of a survey, etc. designed to make sure the marks/
» Can be more easily » They allow automatic stock control. questionnaires, multiple-
a safety measure to ensure regular checks on electrical The documents are fed shading are
damaged than RFID tags or choice examination papers,
equipment. Barcodes help identify items, and a database in automatically and there is correctly positioned to gather accurate
magnetic stripes. » They are a tried and trusted technology. voting papers and many
holds related information for safety audits. no user input. information.
other types of form where
» Because there is no typing, » There can be problems if they have
responses are registered in
they are more accurate than not been filled in correctly; sometimes
the form of lines or shaded
keying in the data. they have to be manually checked
areas.
» They are more accurate before being read, which is both time
than OCR methods. consuming and expensive.

Uses of QR codes
Advantages of QR codes
Disadvantages of QR codes
» Advertising: Used to store business information like addresses,
» Higher Information Capacity: QR codes can store more
phone numbers, email, and website links. Scanning the code Advantages of RFID Disadvantages of RFID
» More than one QR format is available. data compared to normal barcodes.
provides this data or redirects users to the embedded website. » No line-of-sight contact is necessary; » Tag collision (this is when the
the tags can be read from a distance. signals from two or more tags
» QR codes can be used to transmit malicious » Error Reduction: QR codes have built-in error-checking
» App Downloads: QR codes in app stores facilitate quick app » It is a very robust and reliable overlap,
codes; known as attagging. Because there are a systems, reducing errors caused by printing or damage.
downloads onto users' devices. technology. interfering with each other).
large number of free apps available to a user Unlike barcodes, they incorporate data redundancy.
» Very fast read-rate (typically less than » Because RFID uses radio waves,
for generating QR codes, that means anyone
» Wi-Fi Authentication: QR codes store Wi-Fi network 100 milliseconds to respond). they are relatively easy to jam or
can do this. It is relatively easy to write » Ease of Reading: QR codes can be read easily using
authentication details, enabling quick and automatic » Bidirectional data transfer (that is, it interrupt.
malicious code and embed this within the QR smartphone and tablet cameras, eliminating the need for
connection when scanned by smartphones or tablets. allows read and write operations to take » It is relatively easy to hack into
code. When the code is scanned, it is possible expensive laser or LED scanners required by barcodes.
place). the data/signal transmitted by the
the creator of the malicious code could gain
» Augmented Reality (AR): Used to deliver AR experiences by » Bulk detection is possible (that is, it tag.
access to everything on the user’s smartphone/ » Convenient Transmission: QR codes can be easily
aiding AR systems in determining the positions of objects in can detect several RFID tags at the same » RFID is more expensive than a
tablet (for example, photographs, transmitted as text messages or images.
three-dimensional space. time). comparable barcode system.
address book, stored passwords, etc.). The user
could also be sent to a fake website, or it is » Encryption Capability: QR codes can be encrypted,
» Virtual Online Stores: QR codes establish virtual stores, where
even possible for a virus to be downloaded. providing enhanced security compared to traditional
customers can scan codes on a display, accessing product
barcodes.
information and enabling automatic home delivery.