A method for using a transactions-specific, browser specific debit card only operable to effect Internet transactions of a predetermined set of Internet transactions between a merchant by way of a merchant computer characterized by a merchant identity, and a user by way of a user computer having a memory and a display, and characterized by a user identity, comprising the steps of:
- by a transaction manager server on a computer network, wherein the transaction manager server includes a processor with a browser associated therewith, residing on and running on the transaction manager server providing a web-based service to the user for the transaction set while isolating the user computer from the merchant for the transaction set whereby an IP address of the user computer is not provided to internet content providers,
- processing in art an internet transaction of the set, pursuant to use of the browser by way of a client through a private launching point of a browser-like interface at the display of the user computer, whereby an IP address of the user computer is not provided to internet content providers,
- comprising the sub-steps of:
- A. connecting, by the processor, to the memory of the user computer and downloading a client to the memory, but not installing the client on the user computer, thereby generating the browser-like interface at the display of the user computer and establishing the private launching point for online activity by the browser-like interface by way of the browser associated with the transaction manager server whereby an IP address of the user computer is not provided to internet content providers, and
- B. storing, by the processor, parameter information associated with the user for the transaction provided by the user to the processor by way of the private launching point, wherein the parameter information includes a debit card number of a transactions-specific, browser-specific debit card associated with a debit card issuer and the user, wherein the debit card number is only operable for, and a required element of, transactions of the predetermined set of Internet transactions element of, transactions of the predetermined set of Internet transactions initiated pursuant to use of the browser by way of the client through the private launching point of the browser-like interface at the display of the user computer,
- C. receiving, by the browser, a PIN code for the transaction provided by the user by way of the private launching point of the browser-like interface of the client at the display of the user computer, wherein the received PIN code is an element of transactions of the predetermined set of Internet transactions initiated pursuant to use of the browser by way of the client through the private launching point of the browser-like interface at the display of the user computer, and storing, by the browser, the PIN code,
- D. receiving, by the processor, over the Internet, a transaction request for a transaction in the transaction set from the user using the browser by way of the private launching point of the browser-like interface of the client at the display of the user computer, wherein the transaction request includes transaction information representative of transaction parameters including the identity of the user, the identity of the merchant, the PIN code of the user for the transaction, and the identity of the goods or services to be acquired pursuant to the transaction,
- E. determining, by the processor, from the transaction information, whether the PIN code and the user identity information correspond to the PIN code and user identity in the stored parameter information for the transaction, and if so, storing the transaction parameters, and sending a transaction valid signal to the user, and if not, aborting the transaction,
- F. receiving, by the processor, a payment form from the user using the browser by way of the private launching point of the browser-like interface of the client in response to the transaction valid signal, and passing a signal representative of the payment form to the merchant, without disclosing information representative of the identity of the user,
- G. receiving, by the processor, a merchant/debit card issuer approval signal from the debit card issuer indicative of merchant/debit card issuer approval for the transaction and transaction parameters, and
- H. comparing, by the processor, the received transaction parameters from the merchant/debit card issuer approval signal with the transaction parameters from the user transaction request, and if those signals correspond, then sending, by the processor, a transaction manager approval signal to the debit card issuer, indicative of approval of the transaction, and if not, aborting the transaction.