Just got this email from IB:
Alert
15 May 2007
URGENT, Secure Device Required for TWS
Integration of the Secure Transaction Program and TWS login process is complete. Implementation for advisors will take place over the next 2 days. Starting Thursday May 17, advisors will be prompted with a challenge number upon logging into the Trader Workstation. If there is a problem with the device, IB will allow a 24 hour exemption from the process. You will need to contact the Help Desk and request a one time challenge pin. That pin will work for 24 hours.
The STP program is mandatory. We understand security by nature is not convenient and it may be frustrating adjusting to this new layer of security. However, the risk is too great to continue with a single level security process while other brokers are hacked daily. The criminals have become drastically more sophisticated in the last year and their methods will continue to improve and evolve.
Please give this process a chance. It is the best way to protect your hard earned assets.
IB, what about all those options you promised to explore such as opting out and not allowing trading of penny stocks? So now when our data drops out, we need to sit there and fumble with our keyfob to log back in? Or heaven forbid we want to run an automated trading system and not sit in front of the PC 24x7....
Alert
15 May 2007
URGENT, Secure Device Required for TWS
Integration of the Secure Transaction Program and TWS login process is complete. Implementation for advisors will take place over the next 2 days. Starting Thursday May 17, advisors will be prompted with a challenge number upon logging into the Trader Workstation. If there is a problem with the device, IB will allow a 24 hour exemption from the process. You will need to contact the Help Desk and request a one time challenge pin. That pin will work for 24 hours.
The STP program is mandatory. We understand security by nature is not convenient and it may be frustrating adjusting to this new layer of security. However, the risk is too great to continue with a single level security process while other brokers are hacked daily. The criminals have become drastically more sophisticated in the last year and their methods will continue to improve and evolve.
Please give this process a chance. It is the best way to protect your hard earned assets.
IB, what about all those options you promised to explore such as opting out and not allowing trading of penny stocks? So now when our data drops out, we need to sit there and fumble with our keyfob to log back in? Or heaven forbid we want to run an automated trading system and not sit in front of the PC 24x7....