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Mobile tech providers are racing to incorporate EMV chip-and-PIN or chip-and-signature security into their offerings. But many of these companies are taking fundamentally different approaches to linking EMV and mobile technology.

In what amounts to eliminating password use and evolving the Verified by Visa and SecureCode online authentication processes, MasterCard says a new security protocol it is developing with Visa could be implemented next year.

Square Inc. may have more incentive than other acquirers in urging merchant clients to accept EMV-chip cards, but its pricing strategy could deter some from adopting the secure technology.

Third-party vendors will receive a lot more security scrutiny under new Payment Card Industry security requirements taking hold next year, if merchants are vigilant in following the new compliance guidelines.

Mocapay and Merchant Link are partnering to offer a bundle of mobile payments services that includes data-driven security and loyalty programs, both areas that have held back merchant uptake in the past.

Security passwords that have become common for e-commerce transactions and financial accounts translate poorly to mobile devices, fueling consumers' bad habits regarding weak or reused passwords.

This is an exciting time to be in the payments industry. The U.S. deadline for the EMV chip-and-PIN migration is officially less than one year away, and Apple Pay recently became available to iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users.

Apple Pay and the card networks' support is boosting tokenization as a security option for mobile payments, though fraud trends suggest an even more layered approach will be necessary.

Home Depot Inc., which suffered a data breach between April and September, said 53 million e-mail addresses were taken by hackers during the attack, in addition to the 56 million payment cards that were previously disclosed.

Visa Europe may find itself in a damage control mode after researchers say they found a flaw in the brand's contactless cards, but the organization is expressing confidence in its security.