An Introduction to Carding for Educational Purposes
Carding is a type of financial fraud involving the illegal use of bank card data to conduct unauthorized transactions. In an educational context, it's important to understand how this scheme works to understand the risks and protective measures. Carders (fraudsters) seek to access sensitive card information in order to monetize it — for example, to purchase goods, services, or withdraw funds. However, it's important to emphasize that carding is a criminal offense in many countries, including Russia and can lead to serious consequences. This answer focuses on a theoretical explanation of the data's value, without any instructions on how to obtain or use it, to promote cybersecurity awareness.Bank card data is classified according to standards such as PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), which regulates its storage and processing. Carders evaluate data based on criteria such as ease of acquisition, versatility of use, difficulty of detection, and profit potential. Below, I'll discuss key card data elements (card number, CVV, magnetic stripe, EMV chips), their value to carders, and the context of their use. I'll draw on general cybercrime knowledge gleaned from open sources, such as cybersecurity reports (e.g., Verizon DBIR or Europol).
1. Card number (Primary Account Number — PAN)
- Description: This is the card's primary identifier, typically a 16-digit number (for Visa/Mastercard), although for other systems (Amex — 15 digits, Discover — 16). It includes the BIN (Bank Identification Number) — the first 6-8 digits indicating the issuing bank and card type (debit, credit, premium).
- Value for carders: High, but not maximal in isolation. A PAN is the entry point for fraud. Without it, it's impossible to initiate a transaction. On the black market (darknet forums like those described in cybercrime reports), a fresh PAN can cost between $1 and $5, depending on the country and card type (premium cards are more expensive due to their high limits).
- Context of use:
- In online shopping: PAN is combined with other data for purchases on sites with weak verification (e.g. without 3D-Secure).
- Offline: Used to create fake cards.
- Factors that increase value: If the PAN is "fresh" (not blocked) and from a wealthy country (US, EU), it is more valuable. Carders check its validity through "checkers" (special services) to avoid blocking.
- Limitations: The PAN itself is useless for most transactions — additional verification is required. Banks use algorithms (Luhn) to verify validity, but this doesn't stop fraudsters.
- Educational aspect: Understanding your PAN helps protect yourself — never share it over unsecured channels. Banks recommend using virtual cards for online purchases.
2. CVV/CVC-код (Card Verification Value/Code)
- Description: A 3-digit code (Visa/Mastercard) or 4-digit code (Amex) on the back of the card. It is generated based on the PAN and expiration date but is not stored in merchant systems (PCI DSS compliance).
- Value for carders: Very high, often most valuable when combined with the PAN. On the black market, the "PAN + CVV + expiration date" combo can be worth $10-50, depending on the card balance. The CVV is critical because it is required for 90%+ of online transactions (CNP — Card Not Present).
- Context of use:
- Online fraud: Allows you to log in to sites like Amazon or AliExpress. Carders use "full details" (PAN, CVV, name, address) to imitate legitimate purchases.
- Monetization: Purchase gift cards, electronics, or services that are then resold.
- Value factors: A "live" (not compromised) CVV and a high balance are premium. In regions with strong security (Europe), the value drops due to additional checks like SMS-OTP.
- Limitations: CVV does not work for offline chip or magnetic stripe transactions. It is often obtained separately, as it is not transmitted in the magnetic stripe data.
- Educational aspect: CVV is a "second factor" for online transactions. Never store a photo of your entire card. Use password managers or tokenization (like Apple Pay), which prevents your CVV from being revealed.
3. Magnetic Stripe Data
- Description: The magnetic stripe on the back of the card contains three data tracks: Track 1 (name, PAN, expiration date), Track 2 (PAN, expiration date, CVV equivalent), Track 3 (additional data). This is an outdated technology, introduced in the 1960s.
- Value for carders: Average, but still significant in regions with underdeveloped infrastructure. A dump (a dump is a copy of the stripe data) costs $5-20. Useful for creating physical clones of cards.
- Context of use:
- Offline fraud: Carders write a dump onto blank cards (empty plastic cards) using MSR devices (Magnetic Stripe Readers/Writers) and use them in stores that do not require a PIN or chip.
- Combination attacks: In the US, where magnetic stripes are still common, dumps are popular for "card-present" transactions (with the card in hand).
- Value factors: Dumps from high-limit countries (like the US) are more valuable. "Full tracks" are more expensive than partial tracks.
- Limitations: The technology is outdated — many countries (Europe, Canada) have switched to EMV, where terminals ignore the stripe. Detected through monitoring of unusual transactions.
- Educational aspect: The transition to chips has reduced the value of the stripe. For protection: Avoid skimmers (devices on ATMs), check terminals, and use chip cards.
4. EMV chips (Europay, Mastercard, Visa)
- Description: A microchip on the card stores encrypted data. It generates dynamic codes (cryptograms) for each transaction using cryptography (DES/3DES or AES).
- Value to carders: Low for direct copying, but high for advanced attacks. Chips are difficult to clone, so their "dumps" are rare and more expensive ($20-$100+), but are often useless without the PIN.
- Context of use:
- Offline attacks: Carders use "shimmers" (thin devices to read the chip) or "downgrade attacks" (forcing the terminal to fallback to the magnetic stripe).
- Online: Chips do not affect directly, but data can be used in emulators (software for simulating a chip).
- Value factors: Chip-and-PIN cards are valuable for ATM withdrawals. In countries like the US, chip-and-signature cards are easier to bypass.
- Limitations: Dynamic cryptography makes cloning nearly impossible without the bank's key. EMV has reduced fraud by 80%+ in countries with full implementation (according to EMVCo).
- Educational aspect: EMV is an example of security evolution. For protection: Use a PIN instead of a signature, enable transaction notifications, and monitor statements.
Value hierarchy and additional factors
- Top combinations:
- Fullz (PAN + CVV + expiration date + name + address + phone) - for online (value: high, $20-$100).
- Magnetic stripe + PIN dump - for offline (average, but profitable in retail).
- EMV Data Bypass - Advanced (Low due to complexity).
- Additional data that adds value:
- Expiry Date: Required for all transactions.
- PIN: Key for ATM, but difficult to obtain (via keyloggers).
- 3D-Secure codes: One-time, generated by the bank (SMS/app).
- Biometrics/Tokens: Modern cards with NFC (contactless) add layers, reducing the value of old data.
- Factors influencing price: Country (USA > Russia), card type (gold/platinum > standard), balance/limit, and data freshness. According to reports, the global carding market is valued in the billions of dollars annually.
Defense and educational conclusions
In an educational context, understanding the value of data helps with prevention. Recommendations:- Use two-factor authentication (2FA) for banking apps.
- Monitor transactions through bank apps.
- Avoid suspicious websites; use VPN and antivirus software.
- Educate: Many victims are from phishing (fake emails) or malware.
If you'd like to delve deeper into a specific aspect (such as the history of EMV or fraud statistics), please ask! Remember, this information is for awareness-raising purposes, not for practical application.
