Passwords, 2FA and KYC: protecting access

The essentials

Use unique passwords and the portal's available authentication. Distinguish trading passwords, read-only access and personal-area accounts. Complete KYC only through official channels specified by the entity.

Understand the mechanism, not just the definition

Protect passwords, second factors and recovery separately. A code requested by an unsolicited contact is not safe merely because they call it verification. KYC documents require an official channel and purpose; do not send them to a comparison site to obtain an IB link or to unverified support.

Example and verification

Keep recovery codes private and check device-change procedures. Do not send temporary codes, full documents or credentials to public chats. Share errors and time with support, not passwords or session-authorization codes.

Worked case, step by step

A caller asks for a code to activate an account. Visit the known official site and check pending requests instead of following the call’s workflow. Authentication belongs in the appropriate environment, not in a code dictated to a third party. For documents, identify recipient, purpose and applicable privacy policy.

What to verify when applying this

Compare recovery, authentication and help channels alongside platforms. Verify remote-access or key requests through an independent known channel. 2FA does not eliminate deception risk.

Practice: verify it in your environment

Learn by observing the process and keeping its data. Complete this practice in demo or using documentation, without sending real orders or adding capital for the exercise. Record differences between the example and your account specifications.

1. Review authentication and recovery through official services.
2. Identify what each process needs and avoid informal document channels.

Test your understanding

Try the question before revealing the answer. Justify the conclusion and its assumptions rather than memorizing a number.