A transaction security and authentication apparatus and system for
electronic commerce which provides authentication of internet purchases
by communication with a cardholder's base computer, or by contacting the
cardholder by remote access for purchase verification. The system
preferably comprises at least one central server system associated with a
remote access system and configured for communication with a payment
institution, and at least one internet capable device, operatively
coupled for communication with the central server system, with the
central server system configured to determine authentication of a
cardholder electronic transaction, according to data received from the
internet capable device upon a request for verification of the cardholder
electronic transaction from the payment institution. The method of the
invention generally comprises requesting verification of a cardholder
electronic transaction, by a payment institution, from a central server
system, contacting, by the central server system, at least one internet
capable device associated with the cardholder, determining, by the
central server system, if the cardholder electronic transaction is
authorized by the cardholder, and communicating authentication
information, by the central server system, to the payment institution.