July 9, 2024, 12:28 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
You probably know the feeling. Every day, numerous emails flood your inbox, and some are quickly identified as spam or even phishing attempts. These often end up unread in the trash. However, you can safely open a recent message from the payment service PayPal. It’s genuine and discusses a meaningful change in the login process.
It’s wise to remain vigilant when reviewing incoming emails. Increasingly, emails that appear to be from trusted senders are actually from scammers aiming to steal data or money from recipients. Just a few weeks ago, TECHBOOK reported on fake emails from PayPal. The scam exploited the fact that authentic emails from the payment service about changes to the terms and conditions were circulating at the same time. So, it’s no surprise if you’re cautious about apparent PayPal emails. But in this case, TECHBOOK can reassure you: They are not only real, but they also announce useful updates.
Simplified Login Processes at PayPal
Specifically, PayPal is currently informing users about changes to multi-factor authentication. According to the news website “Heise,” some users have already received a notification, while others can expect it soon. The emails announce improvements in “the way you log in.”
PayPal is targeting users who enabled two-factor authentication (2FA) before it became mandatory. As a reminder, the so-called “Payment Services Directive PSD2” of the EU came into effect on January 1, 2021. This directive aims to standardize procedures for using online payment methods and initiating transfers. It requires services to be confirmed with two of three possible factors: a password or PIN, voice or fingerprint, and a device or an application on it.
Improved Security Options Effective from August
Here’s what it’s all about: Users who used PayPal before the mentioned date had to enter a passkey from the authenticator for every login and transaction. For users who registered with PayPal after January 1, 2021, the PayPal app was automatically available as a channel for 2FA. They also had the option to choose WhatsApp or a text message for authentication. This simplified usage will soon apply to all PayPal users, specifically from August, as reported by “Heise.” Some users already have these features active.
Additionally, there will be improvements for remembered devices. This refers to browsers or mobile devices stored by PayPal, through which users can access their accounts. Customers affected by the changes previously did not have this option—they had to call up the authenticator for every transaction and login.