3-D Secure (3-Domain Secure), also known as Payer Authentication is a security protocol to prevent fraud in online credit and debit card transactions. At present, this service is offered by Visa and MasterCard under the name Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode respectively.
Payer Authentication is a three party process. The parties involved are: the vendor, the acquirer (the bank that processes the payment) and the card issuers (i.e. Visa or MasterCard).