Abstract: A system of a first network, which is intermediate a second network and a third network, connects a host of the second network to a host of the third network. The system includes at least one processor programmed to receive a domain name service (DNS) request for a hostname corresponding to the host of the third network from the host of the second network. An internet protocol (IP) address of the first network allocated and an IP address of the host of the third network is determined from the hostname. The allocated IP address is mapped to the determined IP address and the allocated IP address is returned to the host of the second network in response to the DNS request.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system for supporting authentication processing of commercial transactions conducted over a communications network between consumers and merchants. Payment information for a commercial transaction between a consumer and a merchant is received over the communications network. The payment information identifies a payment instrument supporting an authenticated payment program. A determination is made as to whether to authenticate the consumer using the authenticated payment program based on authentication criteria defined by the merchant. The consumer is authenticated over the communications network in accordance with the authenticated payment program if authentication is determined to be appropriate based on the authentication criteria defined by the merchant.

Abstract: A system of a first network, which is intermediate a second network and a third network, connects a host of the second network to a host of the third network. The system includes at least one processor programmed to receive a domain name service (DNS) request for a hostname corresponding to the host of the third network from the host of the second network. An internet protocol (IP) address of the first network allocated and an IP address of the host of the third network is determined from the hostname. The allocated IP address is mapped to the determined IP address and the allocated IP address is returned to the host of the second network in response to the DNS request.

Abstract: A system of a first network, which is intermediate a second network and a third network, connects a host of the second network to a host of the third network. The system includes at least one processor programmed to receive a domain name system (DNS) request for a hostname corresponding to the host of the third network from the host of the second network. An internet protocol (IP) address of the first network allocated and an IP address of the host of the third network is determined from the hostname. The allocated IP address is mapped to the determined IP address and the allocated IP address is returned to the host of the second network in response to the DNS request.

Abstract: A method of tracking a user and the user's activities on a telecommunications network. The method includes receiving a notification from a first web server that the user has accessed a first webpage on a first website, wherein the notification is received via a user tracking server operated by a tracking coordinator, setting a session cookie including a user tracking ID on the user's computer and/or web browser to track the user's activities on the network and storing tracking data for the user in a database associated with the user tracking server, receiving an indication from a second web server that the user has accessed a second webpage on a second website, wherein the second webpage comprises a confirmation webpage that includes transaction data for the user, retrieving the user tracking ID from the session cookie and associating the user tracking ID retrieved from the cookie with the transaction data obtained from the second webpage, and reporting the user tracking data to the first web server.

Abstract: A system of a first network, which is intermediate a second network and a third network, connects a host of the second network to a host of the third network. The system includes at least one processor programmed to receive a domain name system (DNS) request for a hostname corresponding to the host of the third network from the host of the second network. An internet protocol (IP) address of the first network allocated and an IP address of the host of the third network is determined from the hostname. The allocated IP address is mapped to the determined IP address and the allocated IP address is returned to the host of the second network in response to the DNS request.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system for supporting authentication processing of commercial transactions conducted over a communications network between consumers and merchants. Payment information for a commercial transaction between a consumer and a merchant is received over the communications network. The payment information identifies a payment instrument supporting an authenticated payment program. A determination is made as to whether to authenticate the consumer using the authenticated payment program based on authentication criteria defined by the merchant. The consumer is authenticated over the communications network in accordance with the authenticated payment program if authentication is determined to be appropriate based on the authentication criteria defined by the merchant.

Abstract: A method of tracking a user and the user's activities on a telecommunications network. The method includes receiving a notification from a first web server that the user has accessed a first webpage on a first website, wherein the notification is received via a user tracking server operated by a tracking coordinator, setting a session cookie including a user tracking ID on the user's computer and/or web browser to track the user's activities on the network and storing tracking data for the user in a database associated with the user tracking server, receiving an indication from a second web server that the user has accessed a second webpage on a second website, wherein the second webpage comprises a confirmation webpage that includes transaction data for the user, retrieving the user tracking ID from the session cookie and associating the user tracking ID retrieved from the cookie with the transaction data obtained from the second webpage, and reporting the user tracking data to the first web server.