Keith Devens .com

Entry 1532

Here's an algorithm for validating credit card numbers. That's great, but where's documentation on this?

Ok, we're getting closer. The algorithm seems to be based on an ANSI standard, which is good Now the problem is that it'll cost to get the standard. (I hate that). This is interesting:

The LUHN formula was created in the late 1960s by a group of mathematicians. Shortly thereafter, credit card companies adopted it. Because the algorithm is in the public domain, it can be used by anyone.

The LUHN formula is also used to check Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN) validity. In fact, the LUHN formula is widely used to generate the check digits of many different primary account numbers. Almost all institutions that create and require unique account or identification numbers use the Mod 10 algorithm.

Here's a definition of the LUHN formula from Whatis.com, as well as a link to a good C algorithm for checking a number with LUHN.

Excellent, here's Checking Credit Card Numbers from About.com, as well as a link to Everything you ever wanted to know about CC's

Here's an article from The Register about credit card hacking techniques, which includes a link to How to Obscure Any URL - How Spammers And Scammers Hide and Confuse.

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22:52 (utc-5)
edited: 23:49 (utc-5)