cavemonkey50.com » rsa http://cavemonkey50.com Tech in the eyes of cavemonkey50. Mon, 25 May 2009 17:30:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 PayPal’s New Security Key Opens a World of Possibilities http://cavemonkey50.com/2007/08/paypals-new-security-key-opens-a-world-of-possibilities/ http://cavemonkey50.com/2007/08/paypals-new-security-key-opens-a-world-of-possibilities/#comments Mon, 06 Aug 2007 00:22:27 +0000 Ronald Heft http://cavemonkey50.com/2007/08/paypals-new-security-key-opens-a-world-of-possibilities/ PayPal’s Security KeyIf you listen to Security Now, by now you probably heard of PayPal’s Security Key. Essentially, PayPal provides RSA SecurID devices for the low fee of five dollars (PayPal loses money on the purchase; the fee ensures you will actually use the device). The Security Key provides a second layer of authentication by making PayPal logins require a one-time six-digit numeric key generated by the Security Key. By doing so, PayPal verifies the account holder, since the device needs to be physically present at log on. The Security Key is a great extra layer of protection and makes it virtually impossible for anyone take control of your account.

I love the idea of RSA SecurID devices, however there is one potential problem. As more websites start providing extra layers of protection, the number of SecurID devices increases. Imagine having to carry a SecurID for every website you log in to. Thankfully, PayPal’s Security Key eliminates this problem.

While PayPal is providing the Security Key, the key is actually a VeriSign Identity Protection (VIP) device, and PayPal is not the only company enrolled. The same key provided by PayPal works with eBay and will work with many banks in the near future. Though, the list does not end there.

VeriSign is actually an OpenID provider and allows you to link your Security Key to your OpenID. If you never heard of OpenID, OpenID is a decentralized login system similar to the glory days of Microsoft’s Passport, but is a million times better due to the decentralization. So, that opens up a world of possibilities for your Security Key. If you so choose, your Mag.nolia, Six Apart, Zooomr, Basecamp, MyMileMarker, and other OpenID accounts can all be protected with an extra layer of security. In the near future, your Digg, WordPress, AOL, and Microsoft accounts will benefit from this as well.

Essentially, a PayPal Security Key has the potential to protect your entire online identity. Anyone who regularly does business online should strongly consider picking up the device. Besides, the Security Key just looks geeky and cool. I have one, why don’t you?

]]> http://cavemonkey50.com/2007/08/paypals-new-security-key-opens-a-world-of-possibilities/feed/ 18