Chipped Credit/Debit cards: are they really more secure than old style swipe cards?

[Speedy]

bobinmurphy wrote: Traveling in Canada I've noticed that most places only accept chipped cards.

And your card never leaves your hand, they bring the terminal to you. This keeps the clerks/waitstaff honest. I like it, it should be that way here.

My card was refused when I bought a new computer on-line the other day. I had to call the cc company and they released the 'refusal'. I thanked them for their vigilance.