Making payments on the Internet

To become an active market in goods and services, the Internet must overcome a fundamental hurdle: a way must be devised for buyers and sellers to securely and conveniently exchange payment over the Internet. Software companies and financial institutions are now developing methods that will allow people to pay over the Internet. James McAndrews reviews these efforts and looks at the importance of security, authenticity, and privacy--factors often taken for granted in other types of payment