Mobile authentication from RSA

RSA Security yesterday launched an online authentication product that uses mobile phones to supplement traditional IT security systems that use passwords and user IDs. CBROnline reports that the company says the demand for "two-factor" authentication systems is growing and mobile phones have the advantage of not requiring service providers and retailers to invest in expensive hardware tokens and smart card technologies. The idea of cellphones as a second phase security option is not exactly new, and in SA alone there have been a number of attempts at doing exactly this. MTN piloted a similar project a couple of years ago, and earlier this year, one of the companies that is part of the Gauteng government`s Innovation Hub struck a deal with Grintek based on a similar technology. Perhaps RSA picked up some tips locally? And even if it didn`t, the momentum in this area is growing and could soon be the standard for increased security. [More at CBROnline]

Paving the way for the launch of MSN8, Microsoft yesterday announced that its global MSN portals attracted more than 300 million unique visitors from February to the end of May this year. The company is clearly pleased with its showing and says: "Our growth in reach illustrates how new and existing customers are becoming increasingly engaged with the useful services and content MSN offers. This kind of momentum only adds to the excitement leading up to the launch of MSN8." A large portion of the growth is being attributed to the growth of the communications platform MSN Messenger, which now has 75 million users worldwide. MSN has a total of 8.7 million subscribers and the company is hoping to grow this base even further with the launch of MSN8 later this year.

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