Yahoo has released an excellent "Sign-in Seal" feature that lets you embed a personalized text message or even a photograph on Yahoo! Login screen. [see the Yahoo screenshot on the left which has a picture of me] No, this is not for any fun or creating a personlized sign-in page, the Yahoo! Text or Image Seal is a wonderful security feature that would prevent you from supplying your Yahoo! login credentials to a phishing site.
The Yahoo Sign-in seal works like this. You begin by sharing with Yahoo either a secret text (like your street address or girlfriend's name) or a personal photograph that anyone who uses your computer can recognize (like a picture of your dog or even a family photograph).
Now when you visit the genuine Yahoo! sign-in screen on that computer, you'll also see you message or photo. If the message, photo, or colors are different or missing, you may have landed on a phishing site. Don't sign in.
This amazing feature may be a big relief to all Yahoo! users. I strong feel that Google, eBay, Paypal and others must follow the footsteps of Yahoo here. It will just make the online world a more safer place to live, interact and shop.
Yahoo! Prevent Password Theft - Create Yahoo! Sign In Seal [via BigBlueBall]
Find this article at: http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/08/do-you-yahoo-switch-on-sign-in-seal.html
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org
Reader Comments
Hi Amit,
This feature is called the "site-key" and is used on the Bank of America website while logging in... This has been around on the BOA site for the last few months and it is good to see that Yahoo has also implemented this.
I don't know whether "site-key" the normal term that's used for this sort of security, but heightened security is always better - be it for bank accounts or for email.
It's good you posted this to sensitize others who might not have come across this earlier.
Thanks.
Arun
Written on 17/8/06 7:34 AM
Thanks, Amit. Thought I was up on things over on Yahoo!, but you caught me on this one. Followed your suggestions and created my Yahoo Sign-in seal in just a few moments. Then I went and checked and updated all my account settings since I was already there, something that was long overdue, and something we all need to do from time to time.
Thanks again for the suggestion!
Written on 17/8/06 11:17 AM
Hi Amit,
That is a cool feature and i tried at once and happy. Thanks for the post.
N.Ellango
http://benzeneinternational.blogspot.com
Written on 17/8/06 5:58 PM
Arun - yes good observation. Some banks are already using this system to prevent identity theft.
Jargon, I am glad you are now using it. It takes so much stress off your mind because you know that the Yahoo sign-in page is genuine when you see that familiar picture.
Written on 17/8/06 6:09 PM