MyGate, a South African payment gateway service, has created a service that lets e-commerce merchants using Linux to access credit card security services that were initially developed for Windows.

MasterCard SecureCode and Visa 3D Secure reduce the risk of credit card fraud. They require software to be installed on the client's operating systems, by which the card holder is prompted for a PIN code from the bank. The software used was created to support Windows based operating systems.

David Viljoen, IT director of MyGate, considers there's no need for such software on a Linux system, although it could be created, but this could only complicate things. So MyGate came up with their solution. He said: "Why should the merchant struggle with this?"

The managing director of iGroup, Marc Seymour added: "All of our ecommerce clients utilise our Linux servers to host their shopping cart and payment page as there is a direct cost benefit. Additionally, hosting their own payment page gives them further functionality with features such as last minute ordering and customised design."

iGroup tried to find a 3D Secure and MasterCard SecureCode application that can be installed on their servers for requirement facilitation. The only option was to use the payment page from MyGate. This page is very restrictive, not allowing some services that iGroup offer.

The customers are now able to access the SecureCode and 3D Secure software on the MyGate servers, a solution that eliminates the need for the merchants to install the application on any Linux distribution. MyGate's portofolio includes payment gateway services, online credit card fraud detection and debit order solutions.

Some of the advantages presented by MyGate on their site for their solution are:

￭ End to End Payment Solutions
￭ Accept Multiple Payment Methods through One Provider
￭ Secure Web Access for All Financial Transactions
￭ Simplify Payment Reconciliation
￭ MyGate is a Registered Payment Service Provider