Tuesday, September 21, 2004

AOL Boosts Security with New 'Passcode'  AOL PassCode uses SecurID, a token-authentication technology developed by RSA that features a keychain-size device that generates and displays a unique six-digit numeric security code every 60 seconds. AOL customers who sign up for the service enter their account password and the current device code in order to access their account. If the authentication server system validates the code, the user can access the AOL account. If not, access is denied. AOL contends that SecurID provides a higher standard of protection through a two-factor authentication system commonly employed by financial institutions, technology companies and other enterprises.  AOL PassCode is offered for a one-time fee of US$9.95 for each device, plus $1.95 to $4.95 per month, depending on the number of screen names on the account that are secured to a PassCode device. [Finally! A big step up in security by a major provider albeit at a premium. The future is at least "two-factor" authentication.] 9:17:33 PM    comment []

Papers Defend Classified Turf  Last year, more than $24 billion in goods were sold on eBay. While that signifies that more people have an easy way to sell all manner of goods, newspapers are watching their classifieds business get slowly eaten away. Now, newspapers all across North America are finding they have a way to kill several birds with one stone, thanks to a service from CityXpress, of Vancouver. Many papers now conduct online auctions of their own, helping local retailers sell products from auto parts to furniture and even land, while also building new advertising relationships with those retailers and rebuilding some of the business lost to the eBays and craigslists of the world. 4:50:30 PM    comment []