Credit Card Companies Introduce Password System

Visa recently launched the system as an optional feature, inviting their customers to link their cards to an additional password beyond the information on the card itself. The Mastercard system, which is still being developed, will require the user to download a small program.

Both companies are hoping that the introduction will bolster consumer confidence in online transactions end encourage new users, although it is generally conceded that the threat is more perceived than real - credit card fraud is not a major problem for most companies. Visa, for instance, says that just 7c out of every $100 is lost to fraud.

While Dell has already signed up for the new system, Amazon is reluctant to participate as "it would turn one-click ordering into four-point, three-click ordering."