Hewlett-Packard Co. and American Express Co. said they have developed software to safeguard electronic commerce transactions and the Web sites and data bases involved in processing them.
ExpressVault software uses American Express technology to secure transactions and Hewlett-Packard's VirtualVault system to protect merchants' servers, hard drives, and Web pages.
"The combination virtually eliminates any hacking in or graffiti on a Web site," said John Galifi, American Express' electronic commerce director.
When it comes to on-line crime, "The big problem isn't someone trapping a single transaction," said David Alschuler, electronic commerce market research director for Aberdeen Group Inc. of Boston. It's "people invading other people's Web sites and diverting whole transaction streams."
The software, which is compliant with both the Secure Sockets Layer and Secure Electronic Transactions protocols, is to be generally available early next year.
Nine companies are testing ExpressVault. The software is being offered through two Internet service providers, Pasadena, Calif.-based Earthlink Network Inc. and Mindspring Enterprises Inc. of Atlanta.
Merchants can buy server space from either company and can license ExpressVault for $350 a month, said Dan Abouav, director of strategic programs for Hewlett-Packard's extended enterprise business unit.
Merchants using ExpressVault can accept a variety of credit cards, including American Express, Visa, and MasterCard.
American Express, which uses electronic commerce transaction processing technology from Mercantec Inc. in Lisle, Ill., said it does not levy per- transaction charges on merchants using ExpressVault.
