You will soon be tapping your pin code directly into your credit or debit card if you pay for anything on the internet. It will be a powerful weapon against the increasing problem of credit card fraud on the web.

Often fraudsters use stolen cards to make purchases, only needing the security number printed on the back. But soon, millions of Visa cards will feature the numerical keypad and small calculator-like screen which will require a pin.

Whenever the owner types in his pin, the card generates a security code, which is then entered onto the website. This verifies that it is the owner using the card, rather than a thief.

When high street shops started using chip-and-pin, there was a big reduction in face-to-face fraud, but a big increase in use of stolen cards on the internet, when a pin is not needed. The new system, Visa CodeSure, adds the pin layer of security.

So now when buying an item on the internet, the website will ask for the unique security code generated when the pin is entered into the card.

The code generated by the card will be different every time. The cards come with a micro-battery that should last up to three years.

The first cards will be issued in the next few months, and will gradually replace existing cards as the old ones expire.

There are more applications for the cards. They are more secure than passwords for accessing internet bank accounts, so could soon be used for this too.

The cards have had trials in the UK, Israel and Germany.

Sandra Alzetta from Visa said: "This exclusive Visa solution is an extremely convenient way to bring a similar level of security to payments online as we now enjoy on the high street.

"The solution goes beyond just online and remote shopping but also allows organisations to use the card in place of other online log-in systems to access."

• Compare credit card deals