The payment process is an important procedure in a commercial company. The question for the appropriate mode of payment is, therefore, pivotal for every online trader. Furthermore, the ensuring of the cash flow is of high concern.

Basically, the various payment modes differ in terms of the distribution of risk between the online shop operator, the customer and, at times, third parties.

Every user of the Internet can log in via a access provider of his choice, without the internet protocol http handing out personal information about the user. It is for this reason, that online shop operators do not know who are the visitors are and, by this, also who the potential buyers are.
From the online shop operator's perspective, this anonymity always carries a risk for fraud. The clear identification of the client must therefore be ensured in some way.

Lacking media competence of the consumers and the combined mistrust towards payment in online trading, may furthermore, possibly lead to loss of confidence in the specific sector.

It is for these reasons that the need arises for protection of the payment in online trading and the ensuring of maximal security for all parties. Most modes of payments differ in terms of precisely this distribution of risk, respectively security. The payment over the Internet, therefore, requires payment modes which fulfill the conditions of an electronic execution of commercial processes and ensure the above mentioned demands.