Secure Online Transactions with VeriSign Identity Protection

These days we hear horror stories of accounts being hacked and unwanted activity occurring under those accounts. In the worst cases, this can involve finances which can really cause major problems depending on what happens. So really, prevention is the best cure as trying to pick up the pieces afterwards can be time consuming and uncertain.

A while ago, I wrote an article about multi-factor authentication and how it can be used to add another line of defence to your personal information and accounts. Well, there is a simple and convenient way for you to obtain multi-factor authentication for a number of sites, including Australia Post, eBay and PayPal. To see all of the supported sites click here.

Firstly, you need to obtain yourself a token of some sort that will provide you with a unique code with which to login to a site along with your usual username and password. You can get a VIP Security Card or VIP Security Token but these methods cost money. If you are after a fast and free option you will probably be more interested in the “VIP Access for Mobile” option which is basically an application for your Android, BlackBerry or iOS device. All you need to do is download and install the application from the corresponding application store for your device and you have your token ready to go.

Next, you need to register your token with the sites with whom you want to enable multi-factor authentication. More often than not, you need to login to your account on the applicable website and locate the option to register your security token. For instance, with Paypal you need to do the following:

• Login to Paypal,
• Click on “Products & Services” up the top,
• Click on “PayPal Security Key” down the bottom,
• Click on the “Activate Now” button,
• Register the serial number of your virtual token.

Next time you login with your username and password you will be prompted for the six digit code on your virtual token which you can punch in before the thirty second timer on the token runs out. If the timer is a bit low just wait until a new six digit code is generated and use that to login.

One drawback with this system is that there is a limit of one token associated with any given account as far as I have discovered on eBay and PayPal. This means that if you have communal accounts you’re going to need to keep the registered virtual token handy or the person holding the token contactable which could be inconvenient.

Nonetheless, adding an extra layer of authentication does add a little time every time you login but you are increasing the security of your personal accounts in doing so. Also, it’s free to use to what have you got to lose?