Thread: What is 3D Secure

3D Secure is a new added layer of security which is applied to VISA transactions. This is very similar to the MasterCard SecureCode system, and J/Secure which is used by JCB.

3D Secure is a fairly new option and is only just starting to be rolled out to all merchant accounts. If you discover that your merchant account has stopped working recently then this could be due to 3D security systems being enabled.

Reasons for 3D Secure

Online transactions using credit and debit cards have always been susceptible to fraud. Regular improvements in security try to minimize the threat of this fraud as much as possible. 3D Secure and MasterCard SecureCode are the latest in a long line of security measures designed to try to protect both the consumer and merchant.

Reducing Charge backs

One of the biggest advantages to merchants is that they will have a reduced number of charge backs as a result of unauthorized transactions. Merchants are encouraged to use the system as a way of limiting their liability to charge backs.

Advantages to Consumers

The main benefit of these systems in the eyes of cardholders is that they are protected from unauthorized transactions. This works better than the Card Security code in some respects because it's not printed on the card.

How it Works

When you first make an online purchase with your Visa or Mastercard credit card most banks will offer the cardholder (or force them) to sign up for 3D secure. To do this they will need to enter some pieces of personal information and then set up a password.

This password must then be remembered every time they use the card. The idea is to secure payments but it does make the whole process rather longwinded. Also the verified by visa window is difficult to check that it's genuine because it's displayed as an in-line popup.

Hi,

I'm having trouble setting up 3d secure on my site. Are there any special requirements? How do I install 3d secure?

Shirley

Hi Shirley,

3D secure shouldn't be something that you actually need to install. It's activated as standard with most merchant accounts. It's an external service which means visitors will be directed to their bank or 3d secure servers to authenticate the card.

It sounds like the payment module you're using doesn't support 3d secure. This means that your store won't be passing the right information to your merchant account provider.

Which site software are you using? And do you get any error codes?

Thanks

Andrew