Added:Jul 09, 2008
eBay and PayPal are to link-up with Google’s webmail service Gmail to combat fraudulent e-mails and phishing attacks.
The deal is designed to help eBay and PayPal customers with Gmail accounts by stopping fake e-mails getting through claiming to be sent by eBay and PayPal.
Through the use of DomainKeys and DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) e-mail authentication technology, Google is able to prevent the delivery of fraudulent eBay and PayPal messages into Gmail users’ inboxes.
The initiative protects Gmail, eBay and PayPal customers worldwide.
Garreth Griffith, Head of Risk Management at PayPal UK said: “The Gmail team’s decision to work with eBay and PayPal on this issue is a significant step forward in our fight to keep consumers safe from phishing and cybercrime. Today’s announcement will enhance online safety for millions of eBay and PayPal customers who use Gmail.”
DomainKeys technology adds another layer to spam and phishing protections by allowing Internet service providers to determine if messages are real and decide if they should be delivered to a customer’s inbox. The collaboration between eBay, PayPal and Gmail will lower consumers’ risk of being victims of phishing attacks through the reduction of fraudulent e-mail consumers receive.
Brad Taylor, senior staff software engineer in charge of Gmail’s anti-spam efforts continued, ”We’re always looking for ways to eliminate unwanted e-mail from our users’ inboxes. Phishing is an especially nasty form of spam, so we appreciate having another weapon in our arsenal against it. We’re glad to be working with eBay and PayPal to protect our users.”
“Industry cooperation represents a pivotal part of stamping out phishing and other e-mail scams,” said Richard Ambrose, Head of Trust and Safety for eBay in the UK. “Google’s commitment to this battle will undoubtedly encourage others to join in the fight to keep consumers safe online.
