PayPal Security Key

I was reading Ajay’s Techtites blog and saw a post about the new Paypal Security Key. We use Paypal quite a bit and their popularity has made them the target of identity thieves and Phishers (how many of us have gotten an email stating that a new username has been added to our Paypal account).

This new security key looks like a great idea. It will basically keep someone in another location from accessing your account.

For example, let’s say that someone from another country gets your Paypal account information. If you have this key, they still will not be able to access your account without the unique security code.

The key generates a unique security code for your Paypal account every 30 seconds. When you visit the Paypal web site and attempt to login, you will be asked for this unique security code. If the security code matches, you are allowed access to your account. Paypal likens it to a combination lock for your online account.

As you can see from the picture, the Paypal Security Key is small enough to fit on a keychain or in a purse so you can basically take it with you wherever you go.

It will cost you $5, unless you have a business Paypal account and in that case it is free.

Paypal’s site says that it will be available early this year after testing is completed. I think that $5 is a small price to pay for extra identity theft protection (although I bet Ebay could afford to give these things away for free ;)).