Abstract: A method for marketing and redeeming vouchers (meaning gift certificates or coupons) for use in online purchases is disclosed. The method includes the use of a centralized voucher server for processing transactions. A purchaser may buy a gift certificate through a number of routes such as a brick and mortar store, via the telephone, or via an online connection. The gift certificate can be delivered to a recipient by regular mail, email, telephone or the like. The purchaser can select one or more merchants by type or category of goods sold at which the gift certificate will apply. Merchants may offer coupons through a number of venues for redemption via the voucher server.

Abstract: An personal electronic apparatus for providing security of specified electronic transactions, the personal electronic apparatus comprising an article removably inserted into the personal electronic apparatus, the article bearing a machine readable code; customer-specific code installed in the personal electronic apparatus, the code effecting the operation of the personal electronic apparatus; verifying means for determining whether the article is installed in the personal electronic apparatus, and, if so, for enabling specified electronic transactions, but, if not, for preventing said transactions; whereby, upon a specified request by the user, the personal electronic apparatus queries whether the article is installed, and, if so, enables specified transactions to be performed at the request of the user, but prevents the transaction from being performed if the article is not installed.

Abstract: A split transaction purchasing method for increasing the security of on-line transactions comprising the steps of—a customer accessing a merchant server and selecting desired goods and services and placing an order for same, the order resulting in the transmission of an order packet to the merchant server and an authorization packet to a bank server; upon receipt of the order packet, the merchant server generating a merchant packet and transmitting same so that it is received by the bank server; the bank server coordinating the merchant packet with the authorization packet; upon successful coordination, the transaction being subjected to normal back-end processing.