Q: What are Tokens for loging into websites, and why do I care?
Tokens (called two-factor authentication) make your logins much
more secure for online financing, making purchases, etc.
Many online shopping or financial websites have just a login and password for
loging into the site (i.e. something you know). This is
relatively insecure as that information can easily be stolen by
criminals if they hack your computer. Some companies
are now offering the additional choice of also using a token
for loging on (i.e. something you know AND something you have).
For example,
PayPal/eBay are now offering them.
This is a MUCH more secure way to login into websites, as criminals
would have to steal both your login and the physical token.
This is much harder for the criminals to do, which is why if
your bank offers the options of using tokens we highly
recommend you use them, even if it costs more.
