I just wanted to drop a quick little note. Everyone needs to sign up for this and pronto. http://www.ebay.com/securitykey is eBay’s newest way to battle Phishers and Scammers. It’s a little token that gives you a code to sign into your eBay and PayPal accounts.
Think of it as an always changing PIN for your accounts. Without that key, there’s no way for the scammers to get access to your account, even if you get tricked by a fake website. If you forget the key, eBay will call your cell phone and give you a temp number to login with! PayPal makes you answer your secret questions. In other words, it’s really, really hard for someone to steal your account.
It’s the best $5 you’ll ever spend. Trust me.
(Yes, I work for eBay but even if I didn’t, I’d be telling you to get this!)
My purpose in life is to make people happy through the application of technology.
My primary way of attaining my purpose is by doing Montage, iOS and Flex programming for my consulting company, OmegaOrtega.
The secondary way is by building games with my great friend from high school over at Area 161.
I'm found on app.net as LordBron.
You can read my personal blog over here. It's filled with technical posts, but also posts about bettering oneself
My faith is being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have a spiritual blog called Spiritual Techies. It's not LDS specific, but more generic spiritual thoughts.
Who's Lord Bron? Where does the name come from? He was the main character in a short story I wrote in middle school. I liked him so much, I took up his name as my nickname and username for internet sites. He was a time-traveller. 'Nuff said!
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6 thoughts on “eBay/PayPal SecurityKey – Bye, Bye, Phishers/Scammers!”
Believe me tons of people have already complained about having to pay $5 and I’m sure a lot of people will end up not buying it. Since you work at eBay, can you hook me up with one? 🙂
I wish I could give one away to everyone I know, but I can’t. As far as eBay charging too, once again I work there, but even if I didn’t, I’d want to support efforts like this with real money.
And come on, a friggin’ trip to McDonalds or an apple at Whole Foods (whichever type you are) will cost ya 5 bones. =) To me and my non-employee friends who’ve been wanting something like this, $5 is a small price to pay for the added protection.
I’m sorry you feel that way. However, of friend of mine was recently “Phished” and I know had he had this key, it wouldn’t have happened or mattered since a user name and password is useless once you have a security key activated.
I’m not in the division that does this, so I don’t know what true cost vs $5 is. I would imagine it’s either at cost or slightly below. I don’t think eBay is looking at these keys being a profit center for them.
However, it all comes down to personal choice. I just wanted to make this post to let people know that the option is out there and available. It’s still up to you to decide whether you want one or not. Then, you have to decide if it’s worth the 5 bucks.
I’ll tell you what though, I’ll ask internally why the $5 fee and if I’m allowed, I’ll post the answer here. Fair enough?
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Believe me tons of people have already complained about having to pay $5 and I’m sure a lot of people will end up not buying it. Since you work at eBay, can you hook me up with one? 🙂
I wish I could give one away to everyone I know, but I can’t. As far as eBay charging too, once again I work there, but even if I didn’t, I’d want to support efforts like this with real money.
And come on, a friggin’ trip to McDonalds or an apple at Whole Foods (whichever type you are) will cost ya 5 bones. =) To me and my non-employee friends who’ve been wanting something like this, $5 is a small price to pay for the added protection.
You would think that with all the billions of dollars eBay makes with eBay & PayPal that they would issue these free of charge.
This is just another way eBay is trying to make their company ‘look’ safe, so they can just make additional millions in the short term.
I’m sorry you feel that way. However, of friend of mine was recently “Phished” and I know had he had this key, it wouldn’t have happened or mattered since a user name and password is useless once you have a security key activated.
I’m not in the division that does this, so I don’t know what true cost vs $5 is. I would imagine it’s either at cost or slightly below. I don’t think eBay is looking at these keys being a profit center for them.
However, it all comes down to personal choice. I just wanted to make this post to let people know that the option is out there and available. It’s still up to you to decide whether you want one or not. Then, you have to decide if it’s worth the 5 bucks.
I’ll tell you what though, I’ll ask internally why the $5 fee and if I’m allowed, I’ll post the answer here. Fair enough?
Oh look, US only. What a shocker.
Hi,
Is there likely to be worldwide realise of this or will it stay US only.
I am in UK if you know of any specific plans.
Thanks
Paul