New payment methods: A new frontier Single-use numbers, payment by SMS or vocal smart cards are among the primary e-commerce solutions that provide an alternative to credit cards to protect Internet users. Read on for a snapshot of these new payment methods.

All studies confirm that better security for online payments is a necessary condition for e-commerce to take off. What is the best way to protect the user? How can the risk of hackers stealing banking information be eliminated? Players in the e-commerce arena have taken these questions into consideration and have decided to create new payment methods that will replace the exchange of credit card numbers online, thereby reducing the risk. Although these solutions are not yet widespread (few sites have implemented them to date), they do provide an attractive means of payment for users who hesitate to make purchases online.

E-banking cards with disposable numbers increase security of payments
Does the fear of hackers cause you to hesitate before communicating your banking card information online? Disposable card numbers provided by e-banking cards should give you more confidence. Developed through a partnership with several European banks, this payment solution consists of replacing the banking card number with a single-use number for each transaction. The user subscribes to this service through his/her bank, and then is able to download free software that generates e-banking card numbers. When making a purchase online, instead of communicating one's real banking information, the user submits the replacement number provided by the software. This system is transparent for the merchant and is functional on every site, since the numbers and dates generated by the software are accepted by all e-commerce sites.
Advantages: The system does not require the user to install anything (other than downloading the software) and functions on all websites (unless the purchase requires the buyer to present a credit card upon delivery of the product or when the service is rendered).
Disadvantage: The user must pay for the system.

Vocal smart card: Ensuring security with sound
You no longer need to communicate your banking information, because your card does it for you. The vocal smart card is based on a new technology in which sounds are transmitted by banking cards. The user must have a specific type of card to use this service. When making a purchase, he/she holds the banking card up to the computer's microphone (or telephone, whichever is the case). The card then emits a particular sound that the merchant's site uses to identify the customer. Security is further enhanced by requiring a password.
Advantage: The card's unique sound is impossible to mimic, providing maximum security.
Disadvantage: This solution is not very widely available and requires a specific type of banking card.

Payments by email or electronic wallet: Ideal solutions for small sums
An indispensable tool for millions of users worldwide, email can handle practically any type of communication. Since we now have the ability to communicate so easily via email, why not make payments by email as well? This line of thought has led several service providers to offer payment methods by email. The user must open an account (into which he/she deposits specified amounts in advance) with the provider to use this service. Transactions are completed when the user sends an email containing the account's specific information to the merchant. This solution is best suited for payments of small amounts, such as the purchase of songs or music samples from websites offering these products. The electronic wallet is based on a similar system, wherein an account with a provider is further protected by a password, and is used for smaller sums of money.
Advantages: Easy to use, the system is free for the user and allows him/her to pay amounts that may be too small for a banking card.
Disadvantage: This method of payment is not accepted by all websites. The merchant site must subscribe to this service.

Payment by SMS: Identification by phone
In response to the risks associated with banking card hacking or theft, some merchant sites feature identification via codes transmitted by SMS. When making a purchase the user must provide his/her mobile telephone number to receive a specific code by SMS. He/she then validates the purchase by entering the specific user code received during the mobile phone call.
Advantage: The user never has to provide a banking card number nor subscribe to a service.
Disadvantage: The system is not very widespread, and is used mostly for purchases related to the mobile phone.

Access provider services: Pay at the end of the month
Several access providers have recently started allowing online purchases to be added to users' monthly Internet subscriber statements. When making a purchase, the user does not make an immediate payment, since the amount being spent will not be billed until the end of the month along with his/her Internet access subscription. The Internet access provider then remits the amount of the purchases to the merchant site.
Advantage: The system is practical for small online purchases.
Disadvantage: Not all providers (or merchants) offer this service yet.

Audiotel: A return to the good old days
Have 1-900 numbers gone out of style? Not really, according to some merchant sites who allow users to pay for goods or services by calling a telephone number at a surcharge. This system, among others, has been implemented by some newspaper websites to sell archived issues.
Advantage: The user does not need to subscribe to any service. There is no risk of confidential information being stolen.
Disadvantage: It is difficult to control family members' access to the phone, especially children.