Encryption Program Guards Credit Cards

A Spokane Internet provider is providing Net consumers a new system of credit card security when conducting business via computer.

Interlink Services, Inc. is the first system in the country to introduce SmartWallet - a software encryption program that protects against misuse of credit card numbers.

SmartWallet works if both the buyer and the merchant are using the program on their computers, said James L. Moody, Interlink’s president.

The program is unlike most of the other Internet security systems being used in not sending an encrypted credit card number to a merchant. Instead, the number is sent in encrypted form to a processing center - which verifies it and then authorizes a merchant to make the transaction.

Moody said several on-line companies are using the SmartWallet system. Subscribers to Interlink can obtain free copies of SmartWallet, Moody said.

Interlink’s home page URL is: http://intrlink.net.