Abstract: In an example embodiment, an apparatus configured as a comparison shopping engines (CSE) and a shopping search engines (SSE). The apparatus enables a user to enter data about one or more products to purchase. The apparatus enables a user to purchase products from a plurality of vendors in a single transaction. The apparatus receives a single payment from the user which is distributed to the plurality of vendors. The apparatus can also be configured to allow a user to select a single shipper for the plurality of items and purchase shipping for the plurality of items in a single transaction. In addition, the apparatus provides for a product search that allows a user to specify certain optimization parameters and runs automatically for the user over a period of time. Also disclosed herein in an example embodiment, is a system for secure online proxy payments.