eBay / Paypal Security Key

[collector]

Just received and setup my eBay and Paypal security key. With all the rampant fraud going on with eBay and Paypal, I figured this additional layer of eBay / Paypal security was called for. All it cost was $5.00.

I do have all of the typical COMMERCIAL GRADE Antivirus, Antspyware, AntiPhlishing, Firewall, etc software loaded, plus I am behind a router. but felt this additional layer was required, esspecially after my bank also sent me a security key generator.

Any one else set their's up????

[redled]

Can you tell me more about what this is? I'm a registered ebayer, but I haven't been Paypal 'verified' yet, because I find the idea of giving Paypal access to my bank account somewhat repugnant, but i'm starting to find the $500 limit on the amount I can recieve per month annoying since I want to start thinning out my collection, so I may go ahead and hold my nose and get 'verified' (yechhh).

[collector]

The same Security Key ALSO works with eBay - one key works with both sites. It protects you on BOTH sites.

Once you receive it, you must activate it seperately on eBay and Paypal by logging into each and updating both sites with the unique serial # on the key you receive. Once it is activated, you must log into both eBay and Paypal, not only with your user Id and password, but also with the unique 6 digit # displayed on the key. It changes every 30 seconds so the bad guys, even if they get your user id and password, cannot ever log into either your eBay or paypal account as they do not have the key in their possesion.

As a veteran eBayer since 1998, I can tell you no one should "not have one". Believe me it's very easy to use. More info can be found on Paypals site.

Redled, if you are serious about using Paypal, you should read all about their proceeses , procedures, pitfalls, etc. Their procedures MUST be followed exactly. If not, as an example and contrary to what most LED sellers say as far as no returns etc etc, it is unbelievable how easy a buyer can get their money back from the seller!!! "Just read the Paypal portion of eBays discussion boards.

[redled]

The same Security Key ALSO works with eBay - one key works with both sites. It protects you on BOTH sites.

Redled, if you are serious about using Paypal, you should read all about their proceeses , procedures, pitfalls, etc. Their procedures MUST be followed exactly. If not, as an example and contrary to what most LED sellers say as far as no returns etc etc, it is unbelievable how easy a buyer can get their money back from the seller!!! "Just read the Paypal portion of eBays discussion boards.

That sounds like a good system, well worth the hassle of the added log-in complication.

I think i'm pretty well aware of the problems with Paypal, that's why i'm so reticent to 'join the club', but I think I have little choice if I want to ramp up my ebay selling significantly.

I've also been on ebay a number of years. although i've mostly been a buyer, i've also sold some things. ebay certainly is not a perfect system, and adding the unfairness of Paypal into the equation in no way helps, but I think what redeems the whole enterprise is that in the end you're dealing with people (I mean buyer-to-seller, NOT ebay's beauracracy). I believe my experience on ebay accurately reflects the make-up of modern society: most people are honest and trustworthy, but there is a small group of lunatics that it is almost impossible to deal with in a fair and straightforward way and to walk away from uninjured. Out of perhaps 200 transactions, I have had 'bad' experiences of one form or another (from mild to severe) in perhaps 2-3% of them. I would expect that my experience is typical. Since nothing is ever 100% either way, this isn't a bad statistic, and it's probably impossible to improve it much no matter the system ebay or Paypal uses.

[jblin]

I've been on eBay since 1998 also and I'm planning on getting one of these keys. I've had over 250 transactions and only had a problem once. Although my luck has run out recently. The last 3 items I've received were severely damaged (home audio equipment). Some sellers don't seem to care how they pack an item. You don't send a home theater receiver across the country in an over sized box with newspaper for packing. The sellers get upset because you want a refund and then they say, "Well you didn't purchase insurance." My response, "You didn't offer it!" Even then the one item that was insured, UPS denied to pay the claim because it wasn't packed properly. I stood by UPS in that decision. Anyway I did get refunds on all the items but lost quite a bit of money on shipping.

[collector]

The security key is almost / should be mandatory for some!! I am not an PC "Expert' however I have worked with them since the days of the Texas Instruments TR-4 so, I do know a little.

Being I'm semi retired, I have a bunch of time on my hands. Casually, I started to help some local senior citizens with their PC problems. Most are basically PC illiterate. But, because they wanted grandkid pictures, emails, etc, many first obtained dial up access to "GET Online". Then they "graduated' to DSL and cable. What almost none did was update operating systems, add firewalls, Antivirus/Antispyware software, etc. What they also did was "graduate" to online banking, buying presents for grandkids off eBay, etc. Needless to say a good number were hurt by scammers, spyware, keystroke loggers, etc. Badly hurt meaning bank accounts emptied, etc etc.

Also, while working with the seniors, I met many of the "children" - unbelievable how many of them turned out to be PC "novices" (being kind here.)

Trying to explain the why and especially the how of software updates was more difficult than one can even imangine!! Even after putting it in simple terms like "you need to keep out the bad guys" didn't even help.

The only security hope for more than 1/2 of those I worked with is the security key. (I even had a few change their bank to one that offered a "security key".) At least with the key they stand half a chance of not being "ripped" off!!!

Reason I bring this up on the forum is that my guess is that most members are PC savy - check your parents and others that you feel might need some "help" with PC security - don't assume they know!!!!

[jblin]

I work in network security and even the software you use to protect your PC can be used against you. I just saw this a few months ago where a Trojan attacked computers with a certain anti virus program installed on it. It modified the anti virus software. Then it used the anti virus program to move from PC to PC within the network. It's purpose was to capture online banking information.

[bruce wegmann]

Incredible. What you've shown here suggests I was right when I said "Human ingenuity is honed to its' finest edge in the pursuit of illicit gain". Obviously, fresh ground is being broken in that direction every day.

[Fitron]

I'm on my 3rd credit card in 4 months but keep things in perspective. In the UK you are far more likely to have your card details stolen from a PIN machine at any petrol station service counter than online - that's not an ATM but the gizmo that you use to pay the staff Apparently it goes to fund the Tamil Tigers......

[redled]

Reason I bring this up on the forum is that my guess is that most members are PC savy - check your parents and others that you feel might need some "help" with PC security - don't assume they know!!!!

So true. I've done some PC repair on the side for neighbors, etc. People who have no idea what a computer actually is, no idea what happens in the background as they surf the web. To them, the computer is another appliance, like a washing machine, television, or stereo. I try to explain to them that the power and versatility of the computer come at a price; that they have to take responsibility for the security of their system, that to be uneducated is to be vulnerable, but it's very difficult to convey when they seem completely incapable of understanding anything even slightly technical. Just telling them 'do this, this, and this." Doesn't seem to work, because they don't understand why they are doing it, and what can happen if they don't.