A server is established for a plurality of authorized users. Each authorized user accesses the Internet through a user terminal, with support from the server. The server maintains a database identifying the authorized users. A target Internet site provides payment and a target URL to the server. In return, the server has smart cards created, each storing information identifying an authorized user and the target URL. These smart cards are sent to the corresponding authorized users. Upon insertion of a smart card, a user terminal retrieves the authorized user information and transmits this information to the server. The server compares this information with authorized user information in the server database. If a match exists, the server transmits an authorization code to the user terminal. In response, the user terminal retrieves the target URL from the smart card, and uses this URL to retrieve information from the target Internet site.