I thought about switching to the Android app, but only reason I did not was if I ever got into a situation where I had to make a trade and I only had access to a physical LAN connection or other computer connected to the Internet, but no cell signal. Or if I had to make a trade, but my phone ended up with a dead battery. I also thought maybe it would be easier to enter the passcode from the card rather than switching back and forth between two apps on my phone. Do you find the phone app easier?
How long did your IB Security Code battery last?
- Thread starter beefcaketrade
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I thought about switching to the Android app, but only reason I did not was if I ever got into a situation where I had to make a trade and I only had access to a physical LAN connection or other computer connected to the Internet, but no cell signal. Or if I had to make a trade, but my phone ended up with a dead battery. I also thought maybe it would be easier to enter the passcode from the card rather than switching back and forth between two apps on my phone. Do you find the phone app easier?
Your phone can use WiFi. And a broken phone would be the only exception that would delay logging into the system.
It's way easier to use the phone to login.
It's way easier to use the phone to login.
That mechanism does not yet exist three years, at least I am very positive about that. I applied for IBKey for all my accounts last year but I remember I was told it was early in the process and IB would at that stage not be able to protect those of my accounts that contain more than 1mln usd in equity.
So you were referring to security dongles or the dedicated security login phone app called IBKey? We were referring to the IBKey mobile app which has multiple advantages over a hardware security dongle.
I was looking at the phone app. I use iOS. But I'm not sure how it works. Does it require an active data connection or a mobile link?
I don't like the idea of a 'connected token' that is always communicating with the outside world. I prefer a closed off one like the current token who's sole job is to give me a code. If it works offline, I don't mind getting a useless iphone just as a security device. But if it requires an active data connection to 'send me' the code, that's a dealbreaker for the app. I have Google Authenticator for email and I like that method - it doesn't need data connection.
Fingers crossed the battery still works for years to come I guess. I like it but I just don't like worrying the battery may die on me any minute now. The card is super thin. I'm surprised they fit in all the electronics and battery in there with a liquid crystal display too.
I don't like the idea of a 'connected token' that is always communicating with the outside world. I prefer a closed off one like the current token who's sole job is to give me a code. If it works offline, I don't mind getting a useless iphone just as a security device. But if it requires an active data connection to 'send me' the code, that's a dealbreaker for the app. I have Google Authenticator for email and I like that method - it doesn't need data connection.
Fingers crossed the battery still works for years to come I guess. I like it but I just don't like worrying the battery may die on me any minute now. The card is super thin. I'm surprised they fit in all the electronics and battery in there with a liquid crystal display too.
IB has gone through a lot of different devices. Depending on when you had your account, or when you activated two factor authentication. Or when you upgraded your device because battery ran out. The methods and devices keep changing.
This is the one people get now, and which I was referring to regarding battery life:
https://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/?f=/en/general/digital_security_device_plus.php?ib_entity=llc
It needs Internet access via data or wifi. If you don't have that then most likely you don't have Internet access to TWS either. But no, you don't need any mobile data subscription per se. It's even easier and better designed than Google authenticator in that it only asks you for a simple pass code and then upon enter automatically logs your TWS session in regardless of whether that TWS session runs on your phone or any other device. It even closes the security app upon successful authentication which I found neat.