HSBC security key

Gromitt

Am I right in thinking that the HSBC 'Security Key' is nothing like the devices you get from banks like Nationwide and Barclays? Ie, if you loose yours you can just borrow someone elses? (even if its for a different bank)

turbo.jet

Correct, you only get one and its tied to your internet banking only. AND unlike other banks you need it just to log on.

Esoog

Lost mine Gutted. I only ever take it out of my wallet to check my IB, so I'm guessing it fell on the floor by my desk at work and the caretaker has just binned it :mad:

callum9999

turbo.jet wrote: »

Try smile bank or metro bank. I'm tempted by metro bank. Looks swish. Just don't want to lose my long standing history with HSBC because it looks good to mortgage lenders.

Have an account with both and just leave the HSBC one empty/almost empty then.

turbo.jet

HSBC want £500 p/month to go through their current accounts, also I don't want too many accounts with different institutions.

McKneff

Well, I cant be bothered with it any more, Its getting binned. Along with the account. Its only used 5 times a year for my OH pension to be sent to so I will ask them to send it to my Halifax account after the next payment and close the account.

Rubbish, total rubbish.

huw01

Well after all of these months, I'm still haven't had my key. I had a letter from them in the early summer but nothing since then. Still logging in the old way. Have they stopped issuing them ?

The letter said that I'd have the key in a few weeks, that was over 16 weeks ago by now

Esoog

Just rang them to ask for a new one, they told me 3-5 working days, not 7-10.. Is this because I'm advance? Or have they just sharpened their game?

Of course, it might still take 10 working days to arrive heh

chanmus

The security key is a complete waste of time and money. How much has it cost the bank to roll out this garbage? I dread to think.

The device is an electronic device containing a peice of software which generates a key. Therefore it is insecure. Period. It does not matter how secure people 'think' their software is - if someone wants to gain access badly enough - then they will. This has been proven time and time again in the media, and those reports are the ones we hear about.

The only device which is so far is unbreakable is the human brain. Why is it suddenly not acceptable to have to enter a phrase which is in your head, which is the most secure place known to man?

I personally do not bank with HSBC (my wife does) - but, I DO bank with First Direct, which is part of the HSBC group. First Direct do not require the use of such a security device, and require instead on the good old challenge response passphrase. If they do roll-out these devices, I shall leave imediately as I shall not be carrying a rediculous peice of tat everywhere I go - this is the 21st century!

Rich
Software Engineer

Gromitt

Exactly, it's the 21st century, and its time we improved our security! Requesting something from you that anyone could intercept is 20th century security.

Anyone wishing to get into your bank could send you an email which you open and then installs a virus into your PC. This virus records all your key strokes. It doesn't take long to find your internet banking login details. Compare this with a hardware key that the virus can't touch - the thief only captures one time passwords which are useless to them.

Wake up and smell the bacon!

(Although I agree the HSBC Security key is a pile of crap. They should use the tried and tested technique of requiring bank card + card reader + pin code. The last only being available in your memory, hopefully)