An agent-based secure internet payment system for mobile computing

Abstract

The SET protocol, in particular its purchasing phase, is intended for users connected to the Internet during an entire transaction. This requirement cannot be easily met in high communication costs and/or low bandwidth settings, typically found in mobile computing environments. In this paper we propose SET/A, a system that works according to the SET rules for purchasing operations, without forcing the user to be connected during the entire transaction. This is achieved by sending an agent to the merchant’s server carrying all the necessary data to order and pay for the products he or she wants to buy. The paper shows that this can be achieved safely and efficiently, providing an alternative way for on-line payments using the SET protocol.