Computer hardware; computer e-commerce software to allow users to perform online electronic shopping transactions at internet retailers, merchants and content providers via a global computer network; computer hardware and software used to accept and process payments by electronic means; computer software for storage and transmission of payment card information, personal identification and billing information; computer software comprising a digital or electronic wallet for storage of electronic cash value in a personal computer or centralized database for e-commerce transactions; computer encryption hardware and software comprising an electronic encryption unit; computer hardware and software for creating encryption keys, digital certificates and digital signatures; computer software for secure data storage, retrieval and transmission of confidential customer information used by individuals, banking and financial institutions; magnetic coded cards, blank electronic chip smart cards containing an integrated circuit, encoded electronic chip smart cards containing an integrated circuit chip used to store and transmit payment card information, personal identification and billing information; credit cards, debit cards, magnetic coded bank cards, magnetic coded charge cards, magnetic coded payment cards; magnetic coded card readers; computer software designed for transmitting, displaying and storing transaction, identification, and financial information for use in the financial services, banking and telecommunications industries; transponders for radio frequency identification; and electronic verification apparatus, namely computer hardware and software for verifying authentication of charge cards, bank cards, credit cards, debit cards and payment cards