Digital Wallet

Glossary

Digital Wallet

(1) Encryption software that works like a physical wallet during electronic commerce transactions. A wallet can hold a user's payment information, a digital certificate to identify the user, and shipping information to speed transactions. The consumer benefits because his or her information is encrypted against piracy and because some wallets will automatically input shipping information at the merchant's site and will give the consumer the option of paying by digital cash or check. Merchants benefit by receiving protection against fraud.

Most wallets reside on the user's PC, but recent versions, called "thin" wallets, are placed on the credit card issuer's server. Netscape and Microsoft now support wallet technology on their browsers.

(2) Digital Wallet, a registered trademark of Minds@Work, is a self-powered portable hard drive used for storing digital camera images.