Electronic purchase of goods over a communications network including physical delivery while securing private and personal information of the purchasing party

• US 20040002903A1
• Filed: 05/19/2003
• Published: 01/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Iprivacy Llc
• Original Assignee: Iprivacy Llc
• Inventors: Stolfo, Salvatore J., Yemini, Yechiam, Shaykin, Leonard P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,069,249 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/0855 involving a third party
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3676 Balancing accounts
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/383 Anonymous user system
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

E-commerce which secures private and personal information of purchaser/users. E-commerce which may include delivery of a good ordered or purchased over a network (e.g., the Internet) to a purchaser/user, and/or arranging for electronic payment of the good is accomplished while securing private and personal information of purchaser/users, which may include the user'"'"'s identity and address (and those of the user'"'"'s computer), and financial information. E-commerce transactions include the purchasing or otherwise ordering of goods electronically by user, who may be a consumer or retail customer, and for delivery of goods to a shipping or electronic address designated by the user or to a physical or virtual depot for pick-up by the user, while providing complete anonymity of the user with respect to an electronic vendor, who may be a merchant or retailer. Proxy software is provided for user computers, one or more proxy computers, or both, for users to communicate with vendors anonymously over the network, provide for delivery of an ordered good and provide for electronic payment, while securing the user'"'"'s private information. Delivery of a good includes shipping from a vendor to a depot using the depot name and address, and then either re-shipping from the depot to an address designated by the user which is withheld from the vendor, or held at the depot for anonymous pick-up. The proxy software provides for a proxy party to deal with a vendor and arrange payment from a bank or credit card company to the vendor based on an account that the proxy party has with the bank. The proxy party is not required where the purchaser/user is provided with a transaction identity by a third party bank, for example, which masks the true identity of the purchaser who, however, is known to the bank, as is his, her or its shipping address.

Claims

1. A method for a first party using a first device to order a good from a second party using a second device over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the method providing for a delivery address to which the good can be delivered while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising the steps of:

the first and second parties communicating over the network using respective devices;

providing information from the first device directed to the second device for communicating with the second device or to order a good while securing said information of the first party; and

providing a delivery address to the second party to which the good is to be delivered, the delivery address not enabling the second party to determine said information of the first party.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing information from the first device directed to the second device while securing said information comprises providing proxy identifying information specific to the first party or the first device but from which the second party can not determine said information.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing information from the first device directed to the second device while securing said information comprises the step of altering information from the first device directed to the second device while securing said information of the first party.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of the first and second parties communicating with each other over the network comprises the first party using a first computer and the second party using a second computer.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of altering said information from the first device comprises altering said information from the first computer using proxy software associated with the first computer or a proxy computer, or both.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of providing the delivery address comprises using the proxy software to provide the delivery address.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of providing the delivery address comprises using proxy software associated with a proxy computer.

8. The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 including the step of providing for delivery of the good to the delivery address.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the good is a physical good and the delivery address is the address of a physical facility, and wherein the step of providing for delivery of the good to the delivery address includes the second party providing for physical shipment of the good to the physical facility.

10. The method of claim 9 including the step of making the good available at the physical facility for pick up by or on behalf of the first party in a manner which does not require said information of the first party to be revealed at the physical facility.

11. The method of claim 10 including the step of providing a physical address, which may not secure said information of the first party, designated by the first party to the physical facility but not to the second party.

12. The method of claim 11 including the step of providing for shipment of the good from the physical facility to the physical address.

13. The method of claim 7 wherein the good is an electronically transmittable file and the delivery address is an electronic address of a proxy computer, the step of providing for delivery of the good to the delivery address including the second party providing for electronic transmission of the file to the proxy computer.

14. The method of claim 13 including the step of the proxy computer transmitting the file to an electronic address of the first party, which may not secure said information of the first party, which is available to the proxy computer but not to the second party.

16. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of altering information from the first device comprises altering at least a content protocol layer of the information.

17. The method of claim 3 wherein the communications network is the Internet, the step of the first and second parties communicating with each other over the network comprises the first party using a first computer and the second party using a second computer, and the step of altering information from the first computer comprises altering at least a content protocol layer of the information.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein altering the information at least at a content layer comprises filtering cookie data.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein altering the information at least at a content layer comprises filtering active code.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein altering the information at least at a content layer comprises filtering compromising procedures.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the communications network is the Internet and the identifying information is an identity associated with the first party, and wherein the step of providing identifying information specific to the first party or the first device but from which the second party can not determine said information comprises providing a proxy identity for the first party.

256. The method of claim 1 or 22 including the steps of providing for physical delivery of a physical good to the delivery address and providing for tracking of the good during delivery.

15. The method of clam 2 wherein the good is an electronically transmittable file and the delivery address is an electronic address associated with the proxy identifying information of the first device, the step of providing for delivery of the good to the delivery address including the second party providing for electronic transmission of the file to the electronic address of the first device.

22. A method for a first party using a first device to order a good from a second party using a second device over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the method providing for payment to the second party and a delivery address to which the good can be delivered while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising the steps of:

the first and second parties communicating over the network using respective devices;

providing information from the first device directed to the second device for communicating with the second device or to order a good while securing said information of the first party;

providing for approval or disapproval of the purchase of the good by the first party from the second party based on financial information relating to the first party, and if the purchase is approved, providing for payment to the second party while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party; and

providing a delivery address to the second party to which the good is to be delivered, the delivery address not enabling the second party to determine said information of the first party.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of providing for approval or disapproval comprises another party providing for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on financial information relating to the first party, and wherein the step of providing for payment if the purchase is approved comprises the other party providing for payment to the second party and providing for debiting of the first party.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of providing for approval or disapproval comprises the other party being a third party who approves or disapproves of the purchase based on financial information relating to the first party, and wherein the step of providing for payment if the purchase is approved comprises the third party paying the second party and debiting the first party.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the step providing for approval or disapproval comprises the other party arranging with at least a third party to provide for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on the financial information relating to the first party, and wherein the step of providing for payment comprises the other party arranging with at least the third party to provide for payment to the second party and debiting of the first party.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of the first and second parties communicating with each other over the network comprises the first party using a first computer and the second party using a second computer, and wherein the step of providing for approval or disapproval comprises the other party being a proxy party and using proxy software associated with the first computer or a proxy computer, or both, and wherein the step of providing for payment if the purchase is approved comprises the proxy party using the proxy software to provide for payment to the second party and debiting of the first party.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the step of providing for approval or disapproval comprises the proxy party arranging with at least a third party to provide for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on the financial information relating to the first party, and wherein the step of providing for payment comprises the proxy party arranging with the third party to provide for payment to the second party and debiting of the first party.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the step of providing for approval or disapproval comprises the third party using a third computer communicating with the proxy computer to approve or disapprove the purchase based on financial information relating to the first party available to the third party, and wherein the step of providing for payment if the purchase is approved comprises the third party electronically crediting the second party and electronically debiting the first party.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of debiting includes debiting a credit card account of the first party.

30. The method of claim 28 or 29 comprising the step of providing for payment of a fee to the proxy party for the proxy party'"'"'s participation in purchases in which the third party also participates.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the step of providing for payment of the fee to the proxy party comprises payment of a fee for each purchase by a first party from a second party in which the third party participates.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein the step of providing for payment of the fee to the proxy party comprises payment of a fee for each first party enabled to purchase from a second party.

33. The method of claim 30 wherein the step of providing for payment of the fee to the proxy party comprises payment of a fee for enabling the third party to participate in purchases made by first parties from second parties.

34. The method of claim 26 wherein the step of providing for approval or disapproval comprises the proxy party arranging with a third party using a third computer to provide for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on financial information relating to the first party and a fourth party using a fourth computer to provide for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on financial information relating to the proxy party, wherein the step of providing for payment to the second party includes the fourth party electronically crediting an account of the second party and electronically debiting an account of the proxy party, and the third party electronically crediting an account of the proxy party and electronically debiting an account of the first party.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the step of debiting the account of the first party includes debiting a credit card account of the first party.

36. The method of claim 34 or 35 comprising the step of providing for payment of a fee to the proxy party for the proxy party'"'"'s participation in purchases in which the third party or the fourth party also participates.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of providing for payment of the fee to the proxy party comprises payment of a fee for each purchase by a first party from a second party in which the third party or the fourth party participates.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of providing for payment of the fee to the proxy party comprises payment of a fee for each first party enabled to purchase from a second party.

39. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of providing for payment of the fee to the proxy party comprises payment of a fee for enabling the third party or the fourth party to participate in purchases made by first parties from second parties.

40. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of providing for payment to the second party comprises the third party assuming all responsibility and financial liability for paying the second party and collecting from the first party, and including the step of the third party paying a fee to the proxy party.

41. The method of claim 28 wherein the proxy party receives information concerning transactions between first parties and second parties including said information of the first party, the method including the step of the proxy party providing certain of said information of the first party to the third party beyond information required by the third party to carry out the approval and disapproval step and the payment step.

42. The method of claim 28 wherein the proxy party associated with the proxy software and the first party both have accounts with the third party, and wherein the step of providing payment to the second party includes the proxy software providing the second party with information of the proxy party'"'"'s account with the third party, and if the third party authorizes payment, the third party paying the second party and debiting the first party.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein the step of providing payment includes the third party electronically debiting a credit card account of the first party.

44. The method of claim 42 or 43 comprising the step of the third party providing payment of a fee to the proxy party.

45. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of providing information from the first device directed to the second device while securing said information comprises providing identifying information specific to the first party or the first device but from which the second party can not determine said information.

46. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of providing information from the first device directed to the second device while securing said information comprises the step of altering information from the first device directed to the second device.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein the step of altering information from the first device comprises altering at least a content protocol layer of said information.

48. The method of claim 46 wherein the step of the first and second parties communicating with each other over the network comprises the first party using a first computer and the second party using a second computer.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein the step of altering information from the first device comprises altering said information from the first computer using proxy software associated with the first computer or a proxy computer, or both.

50. The method of claim 46 wherein the communications network is the Internet, the step of the first and second parties communicating with each other over the network comprises the first party using a first computer and the second party using a second computer, and the step of altering information from the first computer comprises altering at least a content protocol layer the information.

51. The method of claim 50 wherein altering information at least at a content layer comprises filtering cookie data.

52. The method of claim 50 wherein altering information at least at a content layer comprises filtering active code.

53. The method of claim 50 wherein altering said information at least at a content layer comprises filtering compromising procedures.

54. The method of claim 26 wherein the step of providing the delivery address comprises using the proxy software.

55. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of providing the delivery address comprises using proxy software associated with a proxy computer.

56. The method of claim 22, 54 or 55 including the step of providing for delivery of the good to the delivery address.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein the good is a physical good and the delivery address is the address of a physical facility, and wherein the step of providing for delivery of the good to the delivery address includes the second party providing for physical shipment of the good to the physical facility.

58. The method of claim 57 including the step of making the good available at the physical facility for pick up by or on behalf of the first party in a manner which does not require said information of the first party to be revealed at the physical facility.

59. The method of claim 57 including the step of providing for the shipment of the good from the physical facility to a physical address, which may not secure said information of the first party, designated by the first party which is made available at the physical facility but not to the second party.

60. The method of claim 56 wherein the good is an electronically transmittable file and the delivery address is an electronic address of a proxy computer, the step of providing for delivery of the good to the delivery address including the second party providing for electronic transmission of the file to the proxy computer.

61. The method of claim 60 including the step of the proxy computer transmitting the file to an electronic address of the first party which is available at the proxy computer but not to the second party.

63. The method of claim 45 wherein the communications network is the Internet and the identifying information is an identity associated with the first party, and wherein the step of providing identifying information specific to the first party or the first device from which the second party can not determine said information comprises providing a proxy identity for the first party.

62. The method of clam 45 wherein the good is an electronically transmittable file and the delivery address is an electronic address associated with the identifying information of the first device, which may not secure said information of the first party, and wherein the step of providing for delivery of the good to the delivery address includes the second party providing for electronic transmission of the file to the electronic address associated with the identifying information of the first device.

64. A method for a first party using a first device to order a good from a second party using a second device over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the method providing payment to the second party while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising the steps of:

the first and second parties communicating over the network using respective devices;

providing information from the first device directed to the second device for communicating with the second device or to order a good while securing said information of the first party; and

another party providing for approval or disapproval by at least a third party of the purchase of the good by the first party from the second party based on financial information relating to the first party accessible by the third party, and if the purchase is approved, providing for payment to the second party while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party.

65. The method of claim 64 wherein the step of providing for payment if the purchase is approved comprises the other party providing for debiting of the first party.

66. The method of claim 65 wherein the step of providing for approval or disapproval comprises the other party being a third party who approves or disapproves of the purchase based on financial information relating to the first party, and wherein the step of providing for payment if the purchase is approved comprises the third party paying the second party and debiting the first party.

67. The method of claim 64 wherein the step providing for approval or disapproval comprises arranging with at least a third party to provide for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on the financial information relating to the first party, and wherein the step of providing for payment comprises the other party arranging with at least the third party to provide payment to the second party and debiting of the first party.

68. The method of claim 67 wherein the step of the first and second parties communicating with each other over the network comprises the first party using a first computer and the second party using a second computer, and wherein the step of providing for approval or disapproval comprises the other party being a proxy party and using proxy software associated with the first computer or a proxy computer, or both and wherein the step of providing for payment if the purchase is approved comprises the other party using the proxy software to provide for payment to the second party and debiting of the first party.

69. The method of claim 68 wherein the step of providing for approval or disapproval comprises the proxy party arranging with a third party to provide for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on the financial information relating to the first party, and wherein the step of providing for payment comprises the proxy party arranging with a third party to provide for payment to the second party and debiting of the first party.

70. The method of claim 69 wherein the step of providing for approval or disapproval comprises the third party using a third computer communicating with the proxy computer to approve or disapprove the purchase based on financial information relating to the first party available to the third party, and wherein the step of providing for payment if the purchase is approved comprises the third party electronically crediting the second party and electronically debiting the first party.

71. The method of claim 70 wherein the step of debiting the account of the first party includes debiting a credit card account of the first party.

72. The method of claim 70 or 71 comprising the step of providing for payment of a fee to the proxy party for the proxy party'"'"'s participation in purchases in which the third party also participates.

73. The method of claim 72 wherein the step of providing for payment of the fee to the proxy party comprises payment of a fee for each purchase by a first party from a second party in which the third party participates.

74. The method of claim 72 wherein the step of providing for payment of the fee to the proxy party comprises payment of a fee for each first party enabled to purchase from a second party.

75. The method of claim 72 wherein the step of providing for payment of the fee to the proxy party comprises payment of a fee for enabling the third party to participate in purchases made by first parties from second parties.

76. The method of claim 68 wherein the step of providing for approval or disapproval comprises the proxy party arranging with a third party using a third computer to provide for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on financial information relating to the first party and a fourth party using a fourth computer to provide for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on financial information relating to the proxy party, wherein the step of providing for payment to the second party includes the fourth party electronically crediting an account of the second party and electronically debiting an account of the proxy party, and the third party electronically crediting an account of the proxy party and electronically debiting an account of the first party.

77. The method of claim 76 wherein the step of debiting the account of the first party includes debiting a credit card account of the first party.

78. The method of claim 76 or 77 comprising the step of providing for payment of a fee to the proxy party for the proxy party'"'"'s participation in purchases in which the third party or the fourth party also participates.

79. The method of claim 78 wherein the step of providing for payment of the fee to the proxy party comprises payment of a fee for each purchase by a first party from a second party in which the third party or the fourth party participates.

80. The method of claim 78 wherein the step of providing for payment of the fee to the proxy party comprises payment of a fee for each first party enabled to purchase from a second party.

81. The method of claim 78 wherein the step of providing for payment of the fee to the proxy party comprises payment of a fee for enabling the third party or the fourth party to participate in purchases made by first parties from second parties.

82. The method of claim 70 wherein the step of providing for payment to the second party comprises the third party assuming all responsibility and financial liability for paying the second party and collecting from the first party, and including the step of the third party paying a fee to the proxy party.

83. The method of claim 82 wherein the proxy party receives information concerning transactions between first parties and second parties including said information of the first party, the method including the step of the proxy party providing certain of said information of the first party to the third party beyond information required by the third party to carry out the approval and disapproval step and the payment step.

84. The method of claim 70 wherein the proxy party and the first party both have accounts with the third party, and wherein the step of providing payment to the second party includes the proxy software providing the second party with information of the proxy party'"'"'s account with the third party, and if the third party authorizes payment, the third party paying the second party and debiting the first party.

85. The method of claim 84 wherein the step of providing payment includes the third party electronically debiting a credit card account of the first party.

86. The method of claim 84 or 85 comprising the step of the third party providing payment of a fee to the proxy party.

87. The method of claim 64 wherein the step of providing information from the first device directed to the second device while securing said information comprises providing identifying information specific to the first party or the first device but from which the second party can not determine said information.

88. The method of claim 64 wherein the step of providing information from the first device directed to the second device while securing said information comprises the step of altering information from the first device directed to the second device.

89. The method of claim 88 wherein the step of altering said information from the first device comprises altering at least a content protocol layer of said information.

90. The method of claim 88 wherein the step of the first and second parties communicating with each other over the network comprises the first party using a first computer and the second party using a second computer.

91. The method of claim 90 wherein the step of altering said information from the first device comprises altering said information from the first computer using proxy software associated with the first computer or a proxy computer, or both.

92. The method of claim 88 wherein the communications network is the Internet, the step of the first and second parties communicating with each other over the network comprises the first party using a first computer and the second party using a second computer, and the step of altering said information from the first computer comprises altering at least a content protocol layer said information.

93. The method of claim 92 wherein altering said information at least at a content layer comprises filtering cookie data.

94. The method of claim 92 wherein altering said information at least at a content layer comprises filtering active code.

95. The method of claim 92 wherein altering said information at least at a content layer comprises filtering compromising procedures.

96. The method of claim 87 wherein the communications network is the Internet and the identifying information is an identity associated with the first party, and wherein the step of providing identifying information specific to the first party or the first device from which the second party can not determine said information comprises providing a proxy identity for the first party.

97. A method for a first party using a first device to order a good from a second party using a second device over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the method providing payment to the second party while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising the steps of:

the first and second parties communicating over the network using respective devices;

altering said information from the first device directed to the second device to prevent the second party from determining said information of the first party; and

providing for approval or disapproval of the purchase by a first party from a second party based on (a) an account that the first party has with a third party and (b) an account that a proxy party has with a fourth party while securing said information with respect to the second party, the third party approving or disapproving the purchase based on account information relating to the first party, and the fourth party approving or disapproving the purchase based on and account information relating to the proxy party with the fourth party, and if the third and fourth parties approve the purchase, the fourth party electronically crediting the second party and electronically debiting the proxy party, and the third party electronically crediting the account of the proxy party and electronically debiting the first party.

98. The method of claim 97 wherein the step of the first and second parties communicating with each other over the network comprises the first party using a first computer, the second party using a second computer and the proxy party using a proxy computer, and wherein the step of the third party approving or disapproving the purchase comprises the third computer communicating with the proxy computer, and wherein the step of the fourth party approving or disapproving the purchase comprises a fourth computer communicating with the proxy computer and the second computer.

99. The method of claim 98 wherein the step of debiting the first party comprises debiting a credit card account of the first party.

100. The method of claim 98 or 99 wherein the step of debiting the proxy party comprises debiting a credit card account of the proxy party.

101. The method of claim 100 including the step of providing for payment of the fee to the proxy party.

102. The method of claim 101 wherein the step of providing for payment of a fee to the proxy party comprises payment of a fee for each purchase by a first party from a second party in which the third party or the fourth party participates.

103. The method of claim 101 wherein the step of providing for payment of the fee to the proxy party comprises payment of a fee for each first party enabled to purchase from a second party.

104. The method of claim 101 wherein the step of providing for payment of the fee to the proxy party comprises payment of a fee for enabling the third party or the fourth party to participate in purchases made by first parties from second parties.

105. The method of claim 97 wherein the step of altering said information from the first device comprises altering at least a content protocol layer of said information.

106. The method of claim 97 wherein the step of the first and second parties communicating with each other over the network comprises the first party using a first computer and the second party using a second computer.

107. The method of claim 105 wherein the step of altering said information from the first device comprises altering said information from the first computer using proxy software associated with the first computer or a proxy computer, or both.

108. The method of claim 97 wherein the communications network is the Internet, the step of the first and second parties communicating with each other over the network comprises the first party using a first computer and the second party using a second computer, and the step of altering said information from the first computer comprises altering at least a content protocol layer said information.

109. The method of claim 108 wherein altering said information at least at a content layer comprises filtering cookie data.

110. The method of claim 108 wherein altering said information at least at a content layer comprises filtering active code.

111. The method of claim 108 wherein altering said information at least at a content layer comprises filtering compromising procedures.

112. A system for a first party using a first computer to order a good from a second party using a second computer over a communications network linking the first and second computers, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first computer, the system providing for a delivery address to which the good can be delivered while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising:

the first computer having proxy identifying information which does not reveal said information of the first party;

the first computer having software which

alters information from the first computer directed to the second computer to prevent the second party from determining said information of the first party, and

provides a delivery address to the second party to which the good is to be delivered, the delivery address not enabling the second party to determine said information of the first party.

113. The system of claim 112 comprising a delivery means for delivering the good to the delivery address.

114. The system of claim 113 wherein the good is a physical good and the delivery address is the address of a physical facility, and wherein the delivery means comprises means for physically shipping the good to the physical facility.

115. The system of claim 114 including means for making the good available at the physical facility for pick up by or on behalf of the first party in a manner which does not require said information of the first party to be revealed at the physical facility.

116. The system of claim 114 including means for physically shipping the good from the physical facility to a physical address designated by the first party which is made available at the physical facility but not to the second party.

117. The system of claim 116 including a database storing the physical address designated by the first party, at least part of said information of the first party, or information relating to the purchase by the first party, or both, and means for accessing the database using information relating to the purchase or said information of the first party stored in the database to obtain the physical address of the first party to which the good is to be shipped.

118. The system of claim 112 wherein the good is an electronically transmittable file and the delivery address is an electronic address associated with the proxy identifying information of the first computer which does not reveal said information, and wherein the delivery means comprises means for electronically transmitting the file to the first computer.

119. The system of claim 115 including means for providing a first label for association with the good, the first label having the delivery address and unique information relating the good and the first party from which a physical address designated by the first party to which the good is to be reshipped can be identified, and means for providing a second label that has the physical address designated by the first party and which can replace the first label.

120. The system of claim 119 wherein the means for providing a second label includes a database mapping the unique information and the physical address designated by the first party.

121. The system of claim 119 including means for providing a label for association with the good, the label having the delivery address and unique information relating the good and the first party, and wherein the first computer software provides the unique information to the second party.

122. The system of claim 112 wherein the first computer software alters at least a content protocol layer of the information.

123. The system of claim 112 wherein the network is the Internet and the first computer software alters at least a content protocol layer of the information.

124. The system of claim 123 wherein the first computer software filters cookie data.

125. The system of claim 123 wherein the first computer software filters active code.

126. The system of claim 123 wherein the first computer software filters compromising procedures.

257. The system of claim 112 or 127 including means for providing for physical delivery of a physical good to the delivery address and means for providing for tracking of the good during delivery.

127. A system for a first party using a first device to order a good from a second party using a second device over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the system providing for a delivery address to which the good can be delivered while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising:

a proxy device altering said information from the first device directed to the second device to prevent the second party from determining said information of the first party; and

the proxy device providing a delivery address to the second party to which the good is to be delivered, the delivery address not enabling the second party to determine said information of the first party.

128. The system of claim 127 wherein the first device comprises a first computer and the second device comprises a second computer.

129. The system of claim 127 wherein the proxy device comprises a proxy computer and proxy software associated with the first computer or the proxy computer, or both, which alters information from the first computer.

130. The system of claim 129 wherein the proxy software provides the delivery address to the second party.

131. The system of claim 127, 128, 129 or 130 comprising a delivery means for delivering the good to the delivery address.

132. The system of claim 131 wherein the good is a physical good and the delivery address is the address of a physical facility, and wherein the delivery means comprises means for physically shipping the good to the physical facility.

133. The system of claim 132 including means for making the good available at the physical facility for pick up by or on behalf of the first party in a manner which does not require said information of the first party to be revealed at the physical facility.

134. The system of claim 132 including means for physically shipping the good from the physical facility to a physical address designated by the first party which is made available at the physical facility but not to the second party.

135. The system of claim 131 wherein the good is an electronically transmittable file and the delivery address is an electronic address of a proxy computer, and wherein the delivery means comprises means for electronically transmitting the file to the proxy computer.

136. The system of claim 135 including means for transmitting the file to an electronic address of the first party which is available at the proxy computer but not to the second party.

137. The system of claim 127 wherein the proxy device either redirects the good to a physical address designated by the first party using a proxy party who does not provide the second party with access to the address designated by the first party, or allows the good to be picked up by or on behalf of the first party anonymously.

138. The system of claim 137 including a database storing the physical address designated by the first party, at least part of said information of the first party, or information relating to the purchase by the first party, or both, and means for accessing the database using information relating to the purchase or said information of the first party stored in the database to obtain the physical address of the first party to which the good is to be shipped.

139. The system of claim 137 including means for providing a first label for association with the good, the first label having the delivery address and unique information relating the good and the first party with which the proxy party at the delivery address can identify a physical address designated by the first party to which the good is to be reshipped, and means for providing a second label that has the address designated by the first party and which can replace the first label.

140. The system of claim 139 wherein the means for providing a second label includes a database mapping the unique information and the physical address designated by the first party.

141. The system of claim 139 including means for providing a label for association with the good, the label having the delivery address and unique information relating the good and the first party, and wherein the proxy software provides the unique information to the second party.

142. The system of claim 127 wherein the proxy device alters at least a content protocol layer of said information.

143. The system of claim 127 wherein the communications network is the Internet, the first device comprises a first computer and the second device comprises a second computer, and wherein the proxy device comprises proxy software which alters at least a content protocol layer of said information.

144. The system of claim 143 wherein the proxy software filters cookie data.

145. The system of claim 143 wherein the proxy software filters active code.

146. The method of claim 143 wherein the proxy software filters compromising procedures.

147. A system for a first party using a first device to order a good from a second party using a second device over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the system providing for payment to the second party and a delivery address to which the good can be delivered while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising:

the first computer having identifying information which does not reveal said information of the first party;

the first computer having software which

alters information from the first computer directed to the second computer to prevent the second party from determining said information of the first party, and

provides a delivery address to the second party to which the good is to be delivered, the delivery address not enabling the second party to determine said information of the first party; and

a third party computer providing for approval or disapproval of the purchase of the good by the first party from the second party based on financial information relating to the first party, and if the purchase is approved, providing for payment to the second party while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party.

155. The system of claim 147 comprising a third computer communicating with the proxy computer to provide for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on financial information relating to the first party and a fourth computer to provide for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on financial information relating to the proxy computer, and if the purchase is approved, the fourth computer electronically crediting of the second party and electronically debiting the proxy computer, and the third computer electronically crediting the proxy computer and electronically debiting of the first party.

156. The system of claim 155 wherein the third computer debits a credit card account of the first party.

157. The system of claim 155 comprising the third computer or the fourth computer, or both, providing for payment of a fee to the proxy computer for he proxy computer'"'"'s participation in purchases in which the third computer or the fourth computer also participates.

158. The system of claim 155 comprising the third computer or the fourth computer, or both, providing for payment of the fee to the proxy computer for each purchase by a first party from a second party in which the third party or the fourth party participates.

159. The system of claim 155 comprising the third computer providing for payment of a fee to the proxy computer for each first computer enabled to purchase from a second computer.

160. The system of claim 155 comprising the third computer providing for payment of a fee to the proxy computer for enabling the third computer to participate in purchases made by first computers from second computers.

161. The system of claim 155 comprising the fourth computer providing for payment of a fee to the proxy computer for enabling the fourth computer to participate in purchases made by first computers from second computers.

148. A system for a first party using a first device to order a good from a second party using a second device over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the system providing for payment to the second party and a delivery address to which the good can be delivered while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising:

a proxy device altering information from the first device directed to the second device to prevent the second party from determining said information of the first party;

the proxy device providing for approval or disapproval of the purchase of the good by the first party from the second party based on financial information relating to the first party, and if the purchase is approved, providing for payment to the second party while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party; and

the proxy device providing a delivery address to the second party to which the good is to be delivered, the delivery address not enabling the second party to determine said information of the first party.

149. The system of claim 148 wherein the first device comprises a first computer and the second device comprises a second computer.

150. The system of claim 149 wherein the proxy device comprises a proxy computer and proxy software associated with the first computer or the proxy computer, or both for providing for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on financial information of the first party, and if the purchase is approved, for providing for payment to the second party and debiting of the first party.

151. The system of claim 150 comprising at least a third computer communicating with the proxy computer for approving or disapproving the purchase based on financial information of the first party available to the third party, and if the purchase is approved, for electronically crediting the second party and electronically debiting the first party.

152. The system of claim 151—

comprising the third computer providing for payment of a fee to the proxy computer for the proxy computer'"'"'s participation in purchases in which the third computer also participates.

153. The system of claim 151 comprising the third computer providing for payment of a fee to the proxy computer for each first computer enabled to purchase from a second computer.

154. The system of claim 151 comprising the third computer providing for payment of a fee to the proxy computer for enabling the third computer to participate in purchases made by first computers from second computers.

162. The system of claim 151 wherein a proxy computer receives information concerning transactions between first parties and second parties including said information of the first party, the proxy computer providing certain of said information of the first party to the third computer or the fourth computer, or both, beyond information required to provide for approval and disapproval of the purchase.

163. The system of claim 148 wherein the proxy device alters at least a content protocol layer of said information.

164. The method of claim 148 wherein the communications network is the Internet, the first device comprises a first computer and the second device comprises a second computer, and wherein the proxy device comprises proxy software which alters at least a content protocol layer of the information.

165. The system of claim 164 wherein the proxy software filters cookie data.

166. The system of claim 164 wherein the proxy software filters active code.

167. The system of claim 164 wherein the proxy software filters compromising procedures.

168. The system of claim 149 wherein the proxy device comprises a proxy computer and proxy software associated with the first computer or the proxy computer, or both, which alters said information from the first computer.

169. The system of claim 168 wherein the proxy software provides the delivery to the second party.

170. The system of claim 148, 149, 168 or 169 comprising a delivery means for delivering the good to the delivery address.

171. The system of claim 170 wherein the good is a physical good and the delivery address is the address of a physical facility, and wherein the delivery means comprises means for physically shipping the good to the physical facility.

172. The system of claim 170 including means for making the good available at the physical facility for pick up by or on behalf of the first party in a manner which does not require said information of the first party to be revealed at the physical facility.

173. The system of claim 170 including means for physically shipping the good from the physical facility to a physical address designated by the first party which is made available at the physical facility but not to the second party.

174. The system of claim 173 including a database storing the physical address designated by the first party, at least part of said information of the first party, or information relating to the purchase by the first party, or both, and means for accessing the database using information relating to the purchase or said information of the first party stored in the database to obtain the physical address of the first party to which the good is to be shipped.

175. The system of claim 169 wherein the good is an electronically transmittable file and the delivery address is an electronic address of a proxy computer, and wherein the delivery means comprises-means for electronically transmitting the file to the proxy computer.

176. The system of claim 175 including means for transmitting the file to an electronic address of the first party which is available at the proxy computer but not to the second party.

177. The system of claim 148 wherein the proxy device either redirects the good to an address designated by the first party using a proxy party who does not provide the second party with access to the address designated by the first party, or allows the good to be picked up by or on behalf of the first party anonymously.

178. The system of claim 177 including means for providing a first label for association with the good, the first label having the delivery address and unique information relating the good and the first party with which the proxy party at the delivery address can identify an address designated by the first party to which the good is to be reshipped, and means for providing a second label that has the address designated by the first party and which can replace the first label.

179. The system of claim 178 wherein the means for providing a second label includes a database mapping the unique information and the address designated by the first party.

180. The system of claim 178 including means for providing a label for association with the good, the label having the delivery address and unique information relating the good and the first party, and wherein the proxy software provides the unique information to the second party.

181. A system for a first party using a first device to order a good from a second party using a second device over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the system providing for payment to the second party and a delivery address to which the good can be delivered while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising:

the first computer having identifying information which does not reveal said information of the first party;

the first computer having software which alters information from the first computer directed to the second computer to prevent the second party from determining said information of the first party; and

a third party computer providing for approval or disapproval of the purchase of the good by the first party from the second party based on financial information relating to the first party, and if the purchase is approved, providing for payment to the second party while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party.

182. A system for a first party using a first device to order a good from a second party using a second device over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the system providing for payment to the second party and a delivery address to which the good can be delivered while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising:

a proxy device altering information from the first device directed to the second device to prevent the second party from determining said information of the first party;

the proxy device providing for approval or disapproval of the purchase of the good by the first party from the second party based on financial information relating to the first party, and if the purchase is approved, providing for payment to the second party while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party.

183. The system of claim 182 wherein the first device comprises a first computer and the second device comprises a second computer.

184. The system of claim 183 wherein the proxy device comprises a proxy computer and proxy software associated with the first computer or the proxy computer, or both for providing for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on financial information of the first party, and if the purchase is approved, for providing for payment to the second party and debiting of the first party.

185. The system of claim 184 comprising at least a third computer communicating with the proxy computer for approving or disapproving the purchase based on financial information of the first party available to the third party, and if the purchase is approved, for electronically crediting the second party and electronically debiting the first party.

186. The system of claim 185 comprising the third computer providing for payment of a fee to the proxy computer for the proxy computer'"'"'s participation in purchases in which the third computer also participates.

187. The system of claim 185 comprising the third computer providing for payment of a fee to the proxy computer for each first computer enabled to purchase from a second computer.

188. The system of claim 185 comprising the third computer providing for payment of a fee to the proxy computer for enabling the third computer to participate in purchases made by first computers from second computers.

189. The system of claim 184 comprising a third computer communicating with the proxy computer to provide for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on financial information relating to the first party and a fourth computer to provide for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on financial information relating to the proxy computer, and if the purchase is approved, the fourth computer electronically crediting of the second party and electronically debiting the proxy computer, and the third computer electronically crediting of the proxy computer and electronically debiting of the first party.

190. The system of claim 189 wherein the third computer debits a credit card account of the first party.

191. The system of claim 189 comprising the third computer or the fourth computer, or both, providing for payment of a fee to the proxy computer for he proxy computer'"'"'s participation in purchases in which the third computer or the fourth computer also participates.

192. The system of claim 189 comprising the third computer or the fourth computer, or both, providing for payment of the fee to the proxy computer for each purchase by a first party from a second party in which the third party or the fourth party participates.

193. The system of claim 189 comprising the third computer providing for payment of a fee to the proxy computer for each first computer enabled to purchase from a second computer.

194. The system of claim 189 comprising the third computer providing for payment of a fee to the proxy computer for enabling the third computer to participate in purchases made by first computers from second computers.

195. The system of claim 189 comprising the fourth computer providing for payment of a fee to the proxy computer for enabling the fourth computer to participate in purchases made by first computers from second computers.

196. The system of claim 195 wherein a proxy computer receives information concerning transactions between first parties and second parties including said information of the first party, the proxy computer providing certain of said information of the first party to the third computer or the fourth computer, or both, beyond information required to provide for approval and disapproval of the purchase.

197. The system of claim 182 wherein the proxy device alters at least a content protocol layer of the information.

198. The system of claim 182 wherein the communications network is the Internet, the first device comprises a first computer and the second device comprises a second computer, and wherein the proxy device comprises proxy software which alters at least a content protocol layer of said information.

199. The system of claim 198 wherein the proxy software filters cookie data.

200. The system of claim 198 wherein the proxy software filters active code.

201. The system of claim 198 wherein the proxy software filters compromising procedures.

202. The system of claim 183 wherein the proxy device comprises a proxy computer and proxy software associated with the first computer or the proxy computer, or both, which alters information from the first computer.

203. A system for a first party using a first device to order a good from a second party using a second device over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the system providing for payment to the second party and a delivery address to which the good can be delivered while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising:

a proxy device altering information from the first device directed to the second device to prevent the second party from determining said information of the first party;

at least a third device communicating with the proxy device for approving or disapproving the purchase based on financial information of the first party available to the third device, and if the purchase is approved, for electronically crediting the second party and electronically debiting the first party and electronically crediting the proxy device with a transaction fee.

204. The system of claim 203 wherein the first device comprises a first computer, the second device comprises a second computer, the proxy device comprises a proxy computer and proxy software associated with the first computer or the proxy computer, and the third device comprises a third computer, the proxy software and the third computer cooperating to provide for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on financial information of the first party, and if the purchase is approved, the third computer for providing for payment to the second party and debiting of the first party.

205. A system for a first party using a first device to order a good from a second party using a second device over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the system providing for payment to the second party and a delivery address to which the good can be delivered while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising:

a proxy device altering information from the first device directed to the second device to prevent the second party from determining said information of the first party; and

(a) a third device communicating with the proxy device to provide for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on financial information relating to the first party, and if the purchase is approved, the third device electronically crediting the second party and electronically debiting the first party; and

(b) a fourth device communicating with the proxy device to provide for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on financial information relating to the first party, and a fifth device to provide for approval or disapproval of the purchase based on financial information relating to the proxy device, and if the purchase is approved, the fifth device electronically crediting the second party and electronically debiting the proxy device, and the fourth device electronically crediting the proxy device and electronically debiting the first party;

the system being configurable for operation with (a) or with (b).

206. The system of claim 205 wherein the first device comprises a first computer, the second device comprises a second computer, the third device comprises a third computer, the fourth device comprises a fourth computer, the fifth device comprises a fifth computer, and the proxy device comprises a proxy computer and proxy software associated with the first computer or the proxy computer, the proxy software cooperating at least with the third computer to approve and disapprove the purchase.

207. The system of claim 206 comprising the third computer or the fourth computer, or both, providing for payment of a fee to the proxy computer for the proxy computer'"'"'s participation in purchases in which the third computer or the fourth computer also participates.

208. A system for a first party using a first device to order a good from a second party using a second device over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the system providing for payment to the second party and a delivery address to which the good can be delivered while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising:

a proxy device altering information from the first device directed to the second device to prevent the second party from determining said information of the first party;

at least a third device communicating with the proxy device for approving or disapproving the purchase based on financial information of the first party available to the third device, and if the purchase is approved, for electronically crediting the second party and electronically debiting the first party while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party;

and wherein the system is configurable to provide certain of said information of the first party to the third device beyond information required to provide for approval and disapproval of the purchase.

209. The system of claim 208 wherein the proxy device provides for a delivery address to the second party while securing said information of the first party, and including means including a shipping device for providing for delivery of the good to the delivery address, and wherein the system is configurable to provide certain of said information of the first party to the shipping device beyond information required to provide for delivery of the good to the delivery address.

210. In a communications system using the Internet which includes client computers that access the Internet and transmit and receive messages, the client computers and users thereof having information of a personal or private nature specific to a respective user or respective client computer, server computers coupled to the Internet accessible by the client computers for electronic exchange of information, and at least one proxy computer coupled to the network which receives and transmits messages over the network and communicates with client computers and server computers over the Internet, and proxy software associated with the client computers, the proxy computer or both, the method of securing said information with respect to server computers comprising the steps of examining messages of client computers to be transmitted to server computers and messages received from server computers and altering at least a content protocol layer of the messages to prevent server computers from obtaining said information.

211. The method of claim 210 comprising the steps of altering the network protocol layer and the transport protocol layer to prevent server computers from obtaining said information.

212. The method of claim 210 wherein altering said information at least at a content layer comprises filtering cookie data.

213. The method of claim 210 wherein altering said information at least at a content layer comprises filtering active code.

214. The method of claim 210 wherein altering said information at least at a content layer comprises filtering compromising procedures.

215. In a communications system using the Internet which includes client computers that access the Internet and transmit and receive messages, the client computers and users thereof having information of a personal or private nature specific to a respective user or respective client computer, server computers coupled to the Internet accessible by the client computers for electronic exchange of information, the improvement comprising at least one proxy computer coupled to the network which receives and transmits messages over the network and communicates with client computers and server computers over the Internet, and proxy software associated with the client computers, the proxy computer or both, the proxy software examining messages of client computers to be transmitted to server computers and messages received from server computers and altering at least a content protocol layer of the messages to prevent server computers from obtaining said information.

216. The system of claim 215 wherein the proxy software alters the network protocol layer and the transport protocol layer to prevent server computers from obtaining said information.

217. The system of claim 215 wherein the proxy software filters cookie data.

218. The method of claim 215 wherein the proxy software filters active code.

219. The method of claim 215 wherein the proxy software filters compromising procedures.

220. A method for providing a database of a first party'"'"'s transactions using a first device with a second party using a second device to purchase a good over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the method providing payment to the second party while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising the steps of:

the first and second parties communicating over the network using respective devices;

altering information from the first device directed to the second device to prevent the second party from determining said information of the first party;

providing for approval or disapproval by at least a third party of the purchase of the good by the first party from the second party based on financial information relating to the first party accessible by the third party, and if the purchase is approved, providing for payment to the second party while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party;

providing at least certain communications between the first and the second parties to a third device and collecting said data at the third device while securing said information with respect to the second party; and

providing a database with the collected data which is not accessible by the second device or the third party.

221. A system for providing a database of a first party'"'"'s transactions using a first device with a second party using a second device to purchase a good over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the system also providing payment to the second party while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising:

proxy software associated with first device or a proxy device or both altering information from the first device directed to the second device to prevent the second party from determining said information of the first party;

a third device coupled to the network providing for approval or disapproval by at least a third party of the purchase of the good by the first party from the second party based on financial information relating to the first party accessible by the third party, and if the purchase is approved, providing for payment to the second party while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party;

means for receiving at least certain communications between the first and the second devices and means for collecting data while securing said information with respect to the second party; and

means providing a database with the collected data which is not accessible by the second device or the third party.

222. A method for a first party using a first device to order a good from a second party using a second device over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the method providing for a delivery address to which the good can be delivered while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising the steps of:

the first and second parties communicating over the network using respective devices;

using a proxy device altering information from the first device directed to the second device to prevent the second party from determining said information of the first party; and

using a proxy device providing for approval or disapproval of the purchase of the good by the first party from the second party based on financial information relating to the first party, and if the purchase is approved, providing for payment to the second party while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party; and

allowing more than one first party having unique said information to use the same first device and carrying out the altering step and the approval or disapproval and payment steps for purchases by each first party using the same first device while securing the unique information of each first party.

223. The method of claim 222 wherein one of the first parties using the same first device has an account with a third party, and wherein the step of allowing more than one first party to use the same first device comprises providing a subaccount within the first party account for each other first party using the same first device.

224. The method of claim 223 wherein each first party is identified by different secret information, and including the step of the requiring a first party to provide secret information specific to that first party to the proxy device before allowing a transaction to complete.

225. A system for a first party using a first device to order a good from a second party using a second device over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the method providing for a delivery address to which the good can be delivered while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising:

a proxy device altering information from the first device directed to the second device to prevent the second party from determining said information of the first party;

the proxy device providing for approval or disapproval of the purchase of the good by the first party from the second party based on financial information relating to the first party, and if the purchase is approved, providing for payment to the second party while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party and allowing more than one first party having unique said information to use the same first device and carrying out the altering step and the approval or disapproval and payment steps for purchases by each first party using the same first device while securing the unique information of each first party.

226. The system of claim 225 wherein one of the first parties using the same first device has an account with a third party and each other first party using the same first device has a subaccount within the first party account, and wherein each first party is identified by different secret information, the proxy device requiring verification of secret information from a first party specific to that first party before allowing a transaction to complete.

227. A method for a first party using a first device to order a good from a second party using a second device over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the method providing for delivery of the good and for return of a delivered good, if authorized, while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising the steps of:

the first and second parties communicating over the network using respective devices;

providing information from the first device directed to the second device for communicating with the second device or to order a good while securing said information of the first party;

providing a delivery address to the second party to which the good is to be delivered, the delivery address not enabling the second party to determine said information of the first party;

providing for delivery of the good to the delivery address; and

where authorized, providing for return of the good from the delivery address or another address while securing said information from the second party.

228. The method of claim 227 wherein the step of providing information from the first device directed to the second device while securing said information comprises providing proxy identifying information specific to the first party or the first device from which the second party can not determine said information.

229. The method of claim 227 wherein the step of providing information from the first device directed to the second device while securing said information comprises the step of altering information from the first device directed to the second device.

230. The method of claim 229 wherein the step of the first and second parties communicating with each other over the network comprises the first party using a first computer and the second party using a second computer.

231. The method of claim 230 wherein the step of altering information from the first device comprises altering information from the first computer using proxy software associated with the first computer or a proxy computer, or both.

232. The method of claim 230 wherein the step of providing the delivery address comprises using the proxy software to provide the delivery address.

233. The method of claim 230 wherein the good is a physical good and the delivery address is the address of a physical facility, and wherein the step of providing for delivery of the good to the delivery address includes the second party providing for physical shipment of the good to the physical facility.

234. The method of claim 233 including the step of making the good available at the physical facility for pick up by or on behalf of the first party in a manner which does not require said information of the first party to be revealed at the physical facility.

235. The method of claim 234 including the step of returning the good from the physical facility to a delivery address designated by the second party while not enabling the second party to determine said information of the first party.

236. The method of claim 234 including the step of providing a physical address designated by the first party to the physical facility but not to the second party.

237. The method of claim 236 including the step of providing for shipment of the good from the physical facility to the physical address.

238. The method of claim 237 including the steps of returning the good to the physical facility and from there to a delivery address designated by the second party while not enabling the second party to determine said information of the first party.

239. The method of claim 230 wherein the good is an electronically transmittable file and the delivery address is an electronic address of a proxy computer, the step of providing for delivery of the good to the delivery address including the second party providing for electronic transmission of the file to the proxy computer.

240. The method of claim 239 including the step of returning the good from the electronic address of the proxy computer to an electronic address designated by the second party, or alternatively destroying the file, while not enabling the second party to determine said information of the first party.

241. The method of claim 239 including the step of the proxy computer transmitting the file to an electronic address of the first party which is available to the proxy computer but not to the second party.

242. The method of claim 241 including the steps of returning the good to the electronic address of the proxy computer and from there to an electronic address designated by the second party, or alternatively destroying the file, while not enabling the second party to determine said information of the first party.

244. The method of claim 227 including the step of providing for approval or disapproval of the purchase of the good by the first party from the second party based on financial information relating to the first party, and if the purchase is approved, providing for payment to the second party while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party.

245. The method of claim 244 the good is a physical good and the delivery address is the address of a physical facility, and wherein the step of providing for delivery of the good to the delivery address includes the second party providing for physical shipment of the good to the physical facility.

246. The method of claim 245 including the step of making the good available at the physical facility for pick up by or on behalf of the first party in a manner which does not require said information of the first party to be revealed at the physical facility.

247. The method of claim 246 including the step of returning the good from the physical facility to a delivery address designated by the second party and crediting the first party for the return while not enabling the second party to determine said information of the first party.

248. The method of claim 246 including the step of providing a physical address designated by the first party to the physical facility but not to the second party.

249. The method of claim 248 including the step of providing for shipment of the good from the physical facility to the physical address.

250. The method of claim 249 including the steps of returning the good to the physical facility and from there to a delivery address designated by the second party and crediting the first party for the return while not enabling the second party to determine said information of the first party.

251. The method of claim 244 wherein the good is an electronically transmittable file and the delivery address is an electronic address of a proxy computer, the step of providing for delivery of the good to the delivery address including the second party providing for electronic transmission of the file to the proxy computer.

252. The method of claim 251 including the step of returning the good from the electronic address of the proxy computer to an electronic address designated by the second party, or alternatively destroying the file, while not enabling the second party to determine said information of the first party.

253. The method of claim 251 including the step of the proxy computer transmitting the file to an electronic address of the first party which is available to the proxy computer but not to the second party.

254. The method of claim 253 including the steps of returning the good to the electronic address of the proxy computer and from there to an electronic address designated by the second party, or alternatively destroying the file, and crediting the first party for the return while not enabling the second party to determine said information of the first party.

258. The method of claim 227 including the step of providing for tracking of the good during delivery.

259. The method of claim 227 or 258 including the step of providing for tracking of the good during return.

243. The method of clam 228 wherein the good is an electronically transmittable file and the delivery address is an electronic address associated with the proxy identifying information of the first device, the step of providing for delivery of the good to the delivery address including the second party providing for electronic transmission of the file to the electronic address of the first device.

255. A system for a first party using a first device to order a good from a second party using a second device over a communications network linking the first and second devices, the first party having information of a personal or private nature specific to the first party or the first device, the system providing for a delivery address to which the good can be delivered while securing said information of the first party with respect to the second party, comprising:

a proxy device altering information from the first device directed to the second device to prevent the second party from determining said information of the first party; and

the proxy device providing a delivery address to the second party to which the good is to be delivered, the delivery address not enabling the second party to determine said information of the first party.

means for providing for delivery of the good to the delivery address; and

where authorized, means for providing for return of the good from the delivery address or another address while securing said information from the second party.