A way to make purchases over the Internet using an electronic transfer of funds. Eliminates the need to transmit a credit card number over the Internet. E-cash software holds electronic money on the user's computer.

Encrypted electronic data redeemable for real money. Amazing how the economy is evolving.

A trial form of electronic funds transfer over the Internet (and soon by e-mail). The e-cash software stores digital money, signed by a bank, on the user's local computer. The user can spend the digital money at any shop accepting e-cash, without the trouble of having to open an account there first, or having to transmit credit card numbers. The shop just has to accept the money, and deposit it at the bank. The security is provided by a public key digital signature.

End user computing systems Evaluation and control External mobility