Abstract: There are disclosed techniques for determining whether to establish a call in a click-to-call environment. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a method, comprising the step of receiving a communication resulting from an interaction between a user and a click-to-call feature. The method also comprises the step of performing an analysis of the communication to determine a risk in connection with the communication. The method further comprises determining whether to establish a call between the user and a helper associated with the click-to-call feature based on the risk in connection with the communication.

Abstract: A technique perform authentication. The technique involves receiving an authentication request from a user operating a client apparatus (e.g., the user's smart phone). The technique further involves performing, in response to the authentication request, an analysis of a set of credentials obtained from the client apparatus. The set of credentials includes an authentication factor acquired by the client apparatus from an electronic card in possession of the user (e.g., an integrated circuit credit card). The electronic card is separate from the client apparatus. The technique further involves outputting, based on the analysis of the set of credentials, an authentication result indicating whether the processing circuitry deems the user operating the client apparatus to be authentic.