IBM researchers have developed a shield for personal information that is designed to protect users from identity theft when they are online. The shield, which is code-named Identity Mixer, or Idemix, was created by researchers at IBM's laboratory in Zurich, Switzerland. It will allow users to purchase merchandise and services online without having to reveal personal information. Jan Camenisch, the lead researcher on the project, believes that it makes sense to minimize the number of parties with personal information in order to lessen the threat of such data being compromised. Idemix allows consumers that use the software to receive an anonymous digital credential, or voucher, from a trusted third party, like a bank. According to Camenisch, government agencies can also serve as trusted third parties. For example, a bank would provide a credential that included a credit card number and expiration date. This would be digitally sealed by the software when online purchases are made. This means that the real credit card numbers are never seen by the merchant. There would be a new, encrypted credential issued each time a new purchase is made. The risk of identity theft is significantly decreased when customers do not have to disclose personal information on the Web, says John Clippinger, senior fellow at Harvard Law School's Berkman Center for Internet and Society. Idemix could boost consumer confidence and open the way to new types of Internet commerce.