Virtual Terminal suits businesses of all sizes because it reduces the complexity and expense normally associated with authorizing and processing credit card transactions. It's also much faster than standard dial-up authorization systems.

Businesses with an Authorize.Net account simply access the Virtual Terminal through our Web site using any Web browser. After logging into their Authorize.Net account using a unique user ID and a password, merchants can access the complete range of Authorize.Net services -- authorizations for purchases, credits and returns, status and activity reports, and much more.

To authorize credit card transactions, the merchant completes an electronic form that provides the Authorize.Net system with the information it needs to complete the transaction. This information is encrypted using the latest 40 or 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) 3.0 technology and is sent to an Authorize.Net host server. The server then sends the data through the authorization network to the appropriate card issuer's bank using a secure, proprietary connection. When the process is complete -- this takes around three seconds -- the merchant receives an authorization number, and the Authorize.Net server stores the transaction. Transactions are automatically settled each day and are funded within two to three business days.

Merchants can also check the status of transactions, automatically bill customers for recurring charges or run a variety of reports right from the Authorize.Net Virtual Terminal.