[ohjaeyoon]

Hi everyone,

I don't know if most of the users here use HSBC Online Banking, but I am completely displeased and annoyed at their internet banking security device. Though the concept is a well-taken initiative, the practicalities of owning and implementing such a thing have been counterproductive at best. Numerous times has the device broken within a few weeks or just refused to work and waiting to receive a new one is just a pain in the ass.

The device has been the bane of my existence ever moving back to Hong Kong. It makes no difference on my security whether I own the device or not since the website asks for my password regardless. It would be much more efficient and practical to have a PIN system in place like all other banking services, not to mention the added cost for HSBC for creating such a device and having the back end infrastructure to generate such asinine random codes.

Anyone agree with me on this?

[Drunken Master]

I activated my HSBC account using the security device. One day I wanted to transfer money online to another account. Seems it was not possible until I signed some form and returned to their office.

[PDLM]

Nope. I'm very happy with it. A simple userid and password is really quite a low level of security and is particularly dangerous on shared computers which many people use for online banking. Given that I have most of my assets accessible through my account I am happy to have it well secured.

I've had my device now for, I guess, 3 years (from whenever they started doing them) and it has always worked just fine. It sits in my key fob, and apart from the HSBC logo wearing off it's pretty much as good as new.

[shri]

>> It would be much more efficient and practical to have a PIN system
>> in place like all other banking services

May be efficient, but not secure. Online security should consist of what you have (they key) and what you and only you know (the password).

Have had the original key for several years (3 like PDLM says?) and have not had any of the breakage problem. One key is usually on my keychain and a couple of others are at home / office.

[Sleuth]

I keep mine in a drawer at home, so rather well protected (as opposed to hanging on a key chain), but have also had the original one for a couple of years now.

[wtbhotia]

i have had to change at least 4 times now, never dropped it or anything but had it attached to my keys and after a week it either showed nothing, or some numbers were fixed and wouldnt change. Now i just leave it at home.

My 1st one lasted the most, my previous one lasted a week.

[timklip]

never had a problem with mine, never found it to be an annoyance; in fact, having switched banks for other reasons, I wish my new bank would adopt a similar level of online security

[shri]

>> my previous one lasted a week.

May be the newer ones suffer from the usual made in China problems. Which would explain why folks who have had them for a few years do not seem to have the same problems.

[discobay]

Agree with all the pros and have likewise had mine for 3 years or so. At one time I had three of the little buggers. Biggest disadvantage is not having it on you when you suddenly feel the urge to 'do some online banking'. Or not taking it with you when going away on business/holiday.

[Sigga]

Yeah, no probs.

How do they work, anyway?