IB security token

Thank you rayl and JackR.

 

Pure guess - It has two large watch type batteries. You turn it on and enter your PIN. It processes your PIN. You enter the Challenge. It processes the Challenge and produces a Reply.

It automatically turns off after 15 seconds if you do not enter a PIN.

It automatically turns off after 60 seconds after it has produced a Reply.

You can turn it off manually.

The display is not back-lit.

My guess three to five years - sort of like a digital watch.


Jack

 

Jack, do the batteries look to be user replaceable? If so, I would hope any onboard memory would be retained long enough for a battery swap.

Catoosa

 

rayl,

You say the third is for the API. Are you just guessing or do you know that?

 

I recall that there is a method available to API users and IB did not plan on publicly disclosing it, but selectively to such users. Of course, whether that is "the third method" or yet a fourth method, I cannot be sure.

 

There are two screws on the back that I do not want to remove. Then what appears to a little knurled slide that may or may no slide.

I have a number of these things and each has a serial number. My guess is that when they are made there is a small bit of non-volatile memory used to install a unique key that is tied to the serial number and to hold the PIN. I doubt that changing the batteries would require a reset. However, the manufacturer could have deliberately not done so, so as to force a refresh of their product.

Jack

 

IB told me the battery life is about 10 years.

 

I just now tried to apply for the IB security token and found the "Golden Token" as the only option. Last night I had the option of the Golden or Platinum Token. I hope IB will again offer the platinum token which is larger and has the logical telephone dial pad layout. For now I will wait.

 

Thanks for battery feedback. I opened it up with the idea of getting some backup batteries but it looks like it is designed not to be easily changeable. Anyway, 10 year battery life is plenty.

 

Following up on my previous post: The Platinum version of the security token was unavailable for only one day. I ordered one and received it the next day. It is a bit slow but I am sure it will perform the intended function. Now I wish all of my brokers would offer this device.

Catoosa