What is a Visa card security code

[Father]

When talking about the security code of a VISA card, they usually mean CVV2, which stands for Card Verification Value.
This code is used on bank cards made in accordance with the standards of the VISA payment system.
Other payment systems use similar protection technologies. For example, Mastercard uses the three-digit code CVC2, which is exactly the same as CVV2. On American Express applies the security code CID, which consists of four digits.
The purpose of CVV2 is to ensure the safety of funds of the owner of a bank card, mainly when using it online. In case of offline payment in the store, a four-digit PIN code is used. It is imperative not to confuse concepts such as PIN and CVV2, they have different purposes and are used in different ways.

Where is the code​

The code is made of three digits and is located on the back of the plastic card. It is not difficult to find it - just below the magnetic tape, to the right of the middle (right after the end of the strip on which the signature is usually located), in a small window.
The bank security code is used as standard for VISA cards. Of course, if the card has no restrictions on online purchases. But here it is worth noting that bank produces various variations.
The principle of the security code is that it is impossible to pay for the purchase without knowing the meaning of these three digits. This is done in order to prevent such cases:

• Theft of a plastic card number by an intruder. In the case when the attacker knows the number on the front side, but does not know the contents of the back side
• Erroneous debiting of funds from someone else's card. Making a mistake simultaneously in two requested rows of numbers (number and CVV2) is not an easy task. This provides a guarantee against accidental use of someone else's card number when making a purchase.
• Bad faith of the seller , through which purchases are made on the Internet. According to established standards, the seller cannot store the buyer's CVV2 after the buyer has made a purchase.

Cases when CVV2 cannot be found on the map​

• the card was issued as a virtual
• you cannot pay with a card on the Internet: the instrument belongs to the VISA payment system, but has a postmark "Electron" or "Junior"
• the card does not apply to VISA or Mastercard technology (for example, American Express)

Virtual cards​

For online settlements, "virtual cards" can be issued . Most often, they exist only in electronic form, and security codes in such cases are sent to the owner via SMS. But in some cases, a payment instrument is printed, it contains a sixteen-digit number, but no CVV2, no magnetic tape and a chip. Thus, such a card can only pay for purchases on the Internet, but it will not work to come to the store and pay for purchases there with its help.

VISA cards that cannot be used to pay on the Internet​

It may be an option that the cardholder has VISA "Electron" or VISA "Junior" in his hands. In general, it is lower in quality than VISA "Classic". They can be issued to students or used as salary payments. They are not embossed; the number is not embossed, but printed on the surface. You can buy in real stores with their help, but payment on the Internet turns out to be unavailable.

Payment systems not related to VISA and Mastercard​

Some cards are not intended for online payments. For example - Maestro. It is not used on the Internet, and you will not be able to find the security code on its back or front side - it is not there.
American Express cards are manufactured with a security code on the main side, located to the right above the fifteen-digit number. In this case, looking for the code on the back is a useless exercise. You can use it to pay on the Internet.

Additional security​

The main rule for the safety of funds on the card is not to allow information about security codes to fall into the wrong hands. But CVV2 is not the only means of ensuring the safety of funds.
CVV2 is only requested for online purchases. At the same time, when paying for a purchase, the owner's name may be requested. In addition, additional protection measures have appeared. For example, authorization via SMS when making purchases. That is, when paying, the card number, CVV2, the user's surname are first requested, and then there is a redirect to the page where you need to enter the password, which comes in the form of a text SMS message.