SET and SSL: electronic payments on the Internet

This paper presents a service architecture that combines SET and SSL to provide a lightweight secure electronic commerce system. Although both protocols secure data over an open network like the Internet, they differ in their mode of operation. SET defines secure transaction-oriented exchanges for payment systems whereas SSL secures point-to-point communications. SET and SSL are complementary and the combined architecture permits a gradual introduction of SET services by reducing the need for cardholder certification.