A continuous band of iron-based magnetic particles embedded in a plastic film, used for low-density data storage. Writers encode information by altering the magnetic polarity of the particles, which a specialized reader head decodes as binary data. Though largely superseded by embedded chips and contactless systems, it remains common on legacy access cards, transit tickets, and payment cards.
Heard on the job
The door reader is failing to parse the badge because the magnetic strip is completely scratched up.
Insider tip
These strips are easily corrupted by strong permanent magnets, a common cause of failure when users store access cards next to magnetic phone clasps.
Also heard as
- magstripe