More Secure PayPal?

About a week ago I requested on of PayPal’s new “Security Key” - having done some more business via PayPal I felt some added security wasn’t a bad idea, and a randomly generated every 30 second code seemed like a simple enough way to do it, granted to me it doesn’t seem un-crackable long-term but like most things it’s only a matter of time, but for now, it’s pretty spiffy.

I got a package in the mail from PayPal today, nice little envelope containing some paper work including a reminder card for your wallet (on how it works), a how-to card on how to login and get it linked to your account, a receipt for your $5 purchase, and 10 tips on how to NOT give away your password to bad people - lastly it included a small box for the key generator, which is a grey little wonder (not the first time I’ve seen one though) - I have been at high-end data centers which used them to augment their own base security cards and such - you press the grey button and you get a new code.

So I went thru the setup which was a breeze, it asks for the serial number of the device, and then has you generate a code by pressing the grey button, then you get to do a 30 second countdown, then generate a fresh one - and ta-da your set, I personally wanted to try it out, so I logged out, and followed the instructions on how to login using the code, no issue what-so-ever.

The plastic generator is a bit cheap filling, I mean for $5 I wasn’t expecting a metal body to it, but I doubt it’s something I’ll keep on my keychain as I rarely rarely literally never access PayPal remotely, but all in all it’s something that isn’t a bad idea to leave on a desk - as most hacks to PayPal come from phishing attempts via Email/Phone - which I think should of been on their “10 Tips”, but maybe space was limited - but for $5, a little wait in the mail, it’s a nice additional security to have for your funds.