Soon, all it may take is a photo of your face to verify online
purchases.
MasterCard is trying out a smartphone app that allows customers to
verify purchases online by taking a selfie instead of keying in a
password, the BBC reported.
The credit card company's security expert Ajay Bhalla told CNN that
the selfie way of shopping online would be seen as cool to the new
generation.
Currently, customers use SecureCode for each online transaction,
which requires a password, as the final step during online checkout
to prevent hackers from stealing credit card numbers.
The SecureCode method of verification was used in three billion
transactions last year, the company told CNN.
The trial will start with 500 customers in the United States this
year and the company plans to launch it once bugs are fixed.
The firm has partnered with all major smartphone markers including
Apple and Samsung. According to reports, it is said to be
finalising deals with two banks but it declined to reveal which
ones will get to try it first.
MasterCard is also exploring the use of voice recognition and
fingerprint scans to secure online payment.
How it works:
- Download the MasterCard app on the phone.
- A pop-up window will appear each time shoppers make payment
online.
- If they prefer to use the selfie method, stare at the phone and
blink once to pay. The firm's security experts said blinking
prevents someone from just holding up a printed photograph and
fooling the system.
ST