I just got an interesting "alert" on my eBay account.  Starting this summer, eBay is going to start a new security program which takes securing an account to the next level.  Basically what they're going to do is require you to authenticate yourself if you're using a computer on eBay that hasn't already been authenticated.

Authentication is done two different ways (in addition to a regular password).  You can answer an automated phone call, or talk to a Live support person (via web chat).

It will be interesting to see whether the authentication will be IP or cookie based.  Even though cookies would be more secure (it would be on a per computer basis, rather than internet connection), I hope it's not.  (My bank puts a cookie on an authenticated computer and as a web developer I'm constantly clearing cookies.  I always have to authenticate the hard way - annoying.)

The thing I don't understand - why eBay?  Why are they not going to this type of extreme with PayPal.  There's got to be a a lot more stolen PayPal accounts than eBay accounts.  Many people's PayPal accounts are tied directly to credit cards & bank accounts!

Is this a step backwards towards bridging highly sensitive web accounts with *real* life?  As long as I'm on the phone with eBay, I may as well place my bid over the phone too - hey, that kinda reminds me of a 1997-style product catalog.

The alert I was sent is below:

Dear David Jeffries:

We would like to tell you about a new security initiative that will help keep your account secure. Later this summer, eBay will begin checking to ensure you are signing in from a computer you have successfully used previously. If you attempt to list an item from a different computer – for example, from a PC you are borrowing in a hotel or library – we will ask you to confirm your identity.

Confirming your identity is simple. When prompted, you can choose an automated call to one of the numbers you have registered with us. If this is not possible, we will provide you with alternative methods, such as confirmation through Live Chat, or an automated call to a new number. These alternate methods will require you to provide additional information, such as the correct answer to your secret question.

Please take a minute to update your contact information.

To help quickly confirm your identity, we recommend that you have a current phone number and a secret question and answer on file with eBay. If you have a cell phone, we strongly encourage you to add this to your registration details as a secondary phone number, so that you can confirm your identity while away from your home or business.

Sincerely,
eBay Trust and Safety Department

Yeah - Apple has had alot of issues with today's launch of the iPhone 3G.  It doesn't matter.  Apple is still laughing, and they're going to continue to laugh all the way to the iPhone 3G bank.

This was easily the worst launch of a mobile phone ever.  Does anyone care?  The press, maybe - but do any of the people who braved the crowds care if they have to wait 5 or 6 hours to activate their phones?  They might care today, and maybe tomorrow, but next week: nope.  The majority of the people who bought iPhones today are major Apple fans, not the general public.  99% of the rest of the population (who are interested in the iPhone) will grab it sometime in the next few weeks, when they get around to it.  The only way this whole ordeal can affect them is if they happen to catch some of the mass-media reporting.

As Robert Scoble puts it, it's worth the hell.  The love of the brand and product is greater than any problems that have happend.  Apple's PR doesn't even need to concern themselves.

The iPhone/Apple has won

Never before have I seen developers or the media (at least bloggers) more excited about a platform.  The facebook platform may come close, but the iPhone app store excitement is pretty rare.  Getting the developer community excited is important - and hard to do.  The benefits grow exponentially.  The more awesome apps that are developed - the more valuable the iPhone becomes.

All the hype and excitement about the iPhone has caused every major mobile provider to want to carry it.  Rules have finally changed for mobile providers across 22 countries today.  The power is finally in the hardware/software developers hands.  And it's about time.