The EMV 3DS protocol helps make internet card payments more secure, while achieving a better balance between security and customer convenience by letting the card issuer know more details about the intended purchase.

The bank that issued your Visa card will activate 3-D Secure for you automatically. Upon activation, 3-D Secure protects you at every participating online store. When you shop online at a participating merchant, your card will be automatically recognised as protected by 3-D Secure.

A 3D secure authentication error could be due to everything from a mistyped card number to an incorrect expiration date. If the error continues, the cardholder will need to contact their credit card issuer for assistance.

If your card provider uses 3D Secure, then you'll be prompted to take an extra step to confirm your identity when making payments that don't involve a physical card. The extra step might be a special PIN that you input in the payment portal, or it could involve biometric authentication — your thumbprint, for example.