Solo Technology

Exactly nine days after I ordered it, I’m pleased to say that I received my PayPal Security Key today. I was about to take a picture of it, then I realized it looks exactly like the picture of it…

Go figure.

I hadn’t realized that this can be used for both my PayPal and eBay accounts. Makes sense, I reckon. I’ve activated it for both, it took probably 3 minutes to get that done, and a chunk of that was waiting 30 seconds for a new PIN for both registrations.

I’m no longer nearly so nervous about my accounts for those two services.

It would be sweet if this could be used for other services as well. However, my understanding of the technology is that there needs to be a server at the host end for the RSA stuff (I’m assuming this is RSA SecurID) so that probably wouldn’t work so well with a bunch of 3rd parties.

Perhaps that notion would work better in the OpenID world? The OpenID provider has the server and uses it to authenticate you just once, saving the need for everyone to have their own server.

Granted, that makes being an OpenID provider a lot more expensive. Hmm… I’m sure smarter brains than I are working on this!

Go order your key if you’re a PayPal or eBay user. $5 ain’t much for the second factor of authentication and peace of mind.

11 Responses to “The Key to (PayPal) Security”

1. Chris on July 31st, 2007 10:07 pm
   

   I’ve always found the paypal security pins like this in a hardware style to be quite interesting and possibly the only true way to secure online sites, especially monetary ones like paypal.

2. Arup Soans on August 1st, 2007 5:39 am
   

   I very much agree with Chris. Hardware is so much better and securing monetary sites is something everyone has woes about.

3. David Recordon on August 1st, 2007 12:25 pm
   

   You can actually use your PayPal security key at the VeriSign Labs OpenID Provider as well. http://pip.verisignlabs.com

4. Chris on August 1st, 2007 8:10 pm
   

   Hey David, thanks for that tip! I hope to check that out soon.

5. Country Music on August 2nd, 2007 3:06 am
   

   I have never heard of this Paypal key. Must be new. I’ll have to look into this.

6. Todd Harrison on August 2nd, 2007 6:11 am
   

   This is the first time hearing about this. I’m always a little bit worried when it come to online money so this seem like something I’ll have to check out.

7. TipsoSaurus on August 2nd, 2007 6:13 am
   

   Well, the day I heard about it, I thought of applying for it..but alas, can’t do it as it is not available in this part of the world :(.

8. Snowboardjohn on August 3rd, 2007 10:20 pm
   

   Cheers Chris,

   My Paypal Key was on it’s way to my house about 5 seconds after I read this post.

9. » pingback » PayPal Security and OpenID Integration » Solo Technology on August 4th, 2007 3:13 pm
   
   
10. Xsoft on August 6th, 2007 4:36 am
    

    I wish to have one too, but shipping to Czech republic will be maybe too high.

11. TV175 on August 7th, 2007 6:15 am
    

    I’m in Australia, just finished listening to Security Now and have one on the way.

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