Just my thoughts about the secure device...
First of all, here's how it works:
- you log in as usual
- IB gives you a challenge #
- You turn on your secure device
- You type in your PIN
- You type in the challenge # into the secure device
- the secure device gives you back an 8 character passphrase, which you type into the IB window
After it's activated, you MUST use it for account management, TWS, and web trader.
My thoughts about it:
First off, this is A+ security, even if you gave someone your username/password, they cannot get into your account. There's 3 ways for security. Something you know, something you have, or something you are. The something you know security method has always been a weakness, and the something you have type is being used more and more commonly. As long as you don't lose your secure device, it's impossible for someone to break into your account.
It IS a pain, since it adds like a minute to the time to login to your account, but it's WELL worth it. Hey, it's your money.
IB does NOT cover you for fraud, and now that they are issuing secure devices, it's purely your own fault if you don't have one. In the past, if someone had their account hacked and lost a lot of money, they'd probably sue IB, and they may have a good case. Now, if you opt out of having the secure device, your case will be severely hurt as to why IB should be responsible for your loss. If you DO get the device, and somehow your account gets hacked (and you didn't let someone use your device or lose it), then you can hold IB liable for the loss provided it was no fault of your own, and they will probably sue the company that makes these things. However, the chances of that happening are about zero. Hacking past a secure device is not worth it when there's easier targets out there (like ameritrade for example).
Anyway, the thing isn't that hard to use, it takes a minute of your time when logging in, and it provides you 99.99999999999999999% safety of your assets in your account. It will cost you $150 if you lose the device, but if you're stupid enough to lose the device (come on now, just tape it to your desk, and if you're logging on from somewhere other then your own computer, you DEFINITELY need this thing), then you're probably stupid enough to get your account hacked if you didn't have it.
So whether you have a $5000 account or a $5 million account, I'd say get the device.
Think of it this way. You have locks on your doors right? Doesn't that take time to unlock it and relock it every day? How much will it cost you if you lose your keys? Probably more then $150 even.
First of all, here's how it works:
- you log in as usual
- IB gives you a challenge #
- You turn on your secure device
- You type in your PIN
- You type in the challenge # into the secure device
- the secure device gives you back an 8 character passphrase, which you type into the IB window
After it's activated, you MUST use it for account management, TWS, and web trader.
My thoughts about it:
First off, this is A+ security, even if you gave someone your username/password, they cannot get into your account. There's 3 ways for security. Something you know, something you have, or something you are. The something you know security method has always been a weakness, and the something you have type is being used more and more commonly. As long as you don't lose your secure device, it's impossible for someone to break into your account.
It IS a pain, since it adds like a minute to the time to login to your account, but it's WELL worth it. Hey, it's your money.
IB does NOT cover you for fraud, and now that they are issuing secure devices, it's purely your own fault if you don't have one. In the past, if someone had their account hacked and lost a lot of money, they'd probably sue IB, and they may have a good case. Now, if you opt out of having the secure device, your case will be severely hurt as to why IB should be responsible for your loss. If you DO get the device, and somehow your account gets hacked (and you didn't let someone use your device or lose it), then you can hold IB liable for the loss provided it was no fault of your own, and they will probably sue the company that makes these things. However, the chances of that happening are about zero. Hacking past a secure device is not worth it when there's easier targets out there (like ameritrade for example).
Anyway, the thing isn't that hard to use, it takes a minute of your time when logging in, and it provides you 99.99999999999999999% safety of your assets in your account. It will cost you $150 if you lose the device, but if you're stupid enough to lose the device (come on now, just tape it to your desk, and if you're logging on from somewhere other then your own computer, you DEFINITELY need this thing), then you're probably stupid enough to get your account hacked if you didn't have it.
So whether you have a $5000 account or a $5 million account, I'd say get the device.
Think of it this way. You have locks on your doors right? Doesn't that take time to unlock it and relock it every day? How much will it cost you if you lose your keys? Probably more then $150 even.