For those using PayPal for your online purchases, there's a new layer of security available. The PayPal Security Key is currently for US customers and a few other countries while PayPal further developes this inovative method for producing passcodes.

To reach your account on PayPal's secure site, enter your password, then add the unique number produced by this little gizmo- the process is called multifactor authentication.

The new twist is- something you know plus something you have to verify account ownership. Something you have (this number generating fob) is added to something you know (your password) making the login process much more difficult for hackers to crack.

The gadget costs $5 and may eventually be used on other secure sites that belong to the Versign security network.

For details from the PayPal site- PayPal Security Key FAQ