A cryptographic encoded, ticket issuing and collection system for real-time purchase of tickets by purchasers at remote user stations in an information network that includes a plurality of remote user stations coupled to a server in an information network, e.g., the Internet, for purchase of services, products, or tickets to an event. An operator of the remote user station selects a ticket for purchase to an event using standard protocols of information network. An electronic ticket is transmitted to the operator and includes a cypher code created using a public key cryptography system. The operator displays the electronic ticket for verification purposes and proceeds to print out the ticket at the station. The ticket is presented to a ticket collector whereupon the ticket is scanned by a portable terminal for decoding the cypher code using a public key reloaded into the terminal by the producers of the event. The decoded cypher code is compared against the event description stored in the portable terminal and if equal, the ticket is accepted for admission to the event. The ticket information is stored in the portable terminal and subsequently uploaded to the information system to check for duplicate tickets.