PayPal has become the first UK firm to sign up to the VeriSign Identity Protection (VIP) two-factor authentication scheme designed to give consumers an extra layer of security when transacting online.
The online payment firm is offering the service as a security key fob token to customers for around £3, or in the form of a passcode text message sent to a customer's phone every time they log in.
The service is simple to set up for retailers or service providers, requiring only a web services SSL link to VeriSign and small adjustments to the log-in page of their site, according to Mike Davies, director of identity and authentication services at VeriSign.
"VIP has been working for about one and a half years in other countries, with eBay, AOL and PayPal signed up in the US, so it's starting to gain critical mass," he said.
"It gives consumers an extra layer of protection when they interact online with firms they have an account-based relationship with."
Davies added that more big name firms are due to sign-up to VIP in the coming months, and that existing VIP consumers will be able to use the same password-generating token on any participating site.
Firm replaces hashing function after security alert 05 Jan 2009
Security firm seeks to promote e-commerce while minimising the risks 11 Nov 2008
Extended Validation authentication programme ups site trust, claims company 03 Oct 2008
On-demand password promises extra layer of protection 08 Apr 2008
Test Drive Program aimed at enhancing authentication of mobile apps 21 Apr 2009Mobile authentication system now available on more than 90 handsets 21 Apr 2009
Web services bring new data management headaches 11 Nov 2009VeriSign Identity Protection aims to bring enhanced network protection to smaller firms 25 Sep 2009
Heavily trailed proposals to ban sending recyclable material to landfill made public 18 Mar 2010
Government announces extra £4.8m to support offshore wind R&D 18 Mar 2010
Secretary-General and climate envoy cross swords over the extent to which UN talks should be supported by separate negotiations between top polluters 18 Mar 2010
More news
As a journalist, I spend a fair amount of time defending the much maligned media industry to friends and family.... 18 Mar 2010
Andrew Williams casts his eye over some of the most popular green driving aids on the market 16 Mar 2010
From hydropower hot spots to record-breaking Texan winds, we run down the top stories from the past week 12 Mar 2010 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
