Authentication via email 2-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Overview

What is Email 2FA?

• 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) via Email provides an additional layer of security by sending authentication codes to your email address on record. This increases the level of protection of your account against unauthorized access. 

Can I choose Email as 2-Factor Authentication by myself?

• We enable the 2-Factor Authentication using Email for the users under specific conditions and that change can not be made by the user.

Is Email 2FA permanent?

No. Email 2FA is a temporary authentication method and will be automatically removed once you activate a permanent form of 2FA such as:

• IB Key (Mobile Authentication)
• Mobile Authenticator (based on TOTP, Time-based One-Time Password)
• DSC+ (Digital Security Card Plus)

Using Email 2FA

How do I use Email 2FA?

1. Enter your username and password into the Trading Platform or Client Portal login screen.
2. Click "Login".
3. Check the email on record for your brokerage account. Look for a message titled  "Secure access codes". 
4. Enter the numeric combination from this message in the "Authentication Code sent to your e-mail" field on the login screen.
5. Click "Login" to complete the authentication process.

What if I change my email address?

• If you change your registered email address, your Email 2FA will automatically reflect that change. 

Troubleshooting

Why am I not receiving my Email 2FA codes?

• If you need to receive a new authentication code, please start a fresh authentication session by re-entering your username and password. If you still experience issues, consider the troubleshooting steps below:

Check Spam/Junk Folders

• Check the Spam/Junk/ Marketing folders of your mailbox. The message may have landed in one of those folders.
• If that is the case, you can flag the mail as "Not Spam" or "Safe Sender".

Whitelist Email Domains

Our messages may have been filtered out by your email provider. 

• Sender Addresses to whitelist:
• • donotreply@ibkr.com
  • donotreply@interactivebrokers.com
  • help@ibkr.com
  • help@interactivebrokers.com

How to whitelist sender addresses

• Gmail - Gmail does not have a safe sender list but you can emulate that function with those steps:

1. 1. Click the three dots menu (⋮) in the top right corner of the message
   2. Select "Filter messages like this"
   3. Create a filter to "Never send to Spam"

• Outlook/Hotmail:

1. 1. Go to Settings → View all Outlook settings
   2. Select "Mail" →  "Junk email"
   3. Under "Safe senders and domains," add the email addresses above
   4. Click "Save"

• Yahoo Mail:

1. 1. Click Settings →  More Settings
   2. Select "Security and Privacy"
   3. Add the email addresses to your contacts or safe list

• Other Email Providers:
• • Consult your email provider's documentation for whitelisting instructions
  • Search for "safe sender list" or "email whitelist" in your settings

Additional Checks

• Ensure your mailbox is not full
• Wait 2-3 minutes, email delivery codes may be delayed during high traffic periods. Try requesting a new code
• If the above did not help, please contact your email provider for further investigation

If you continue experiencing issues with Email 2FA or need assistance setting up a permanent 2FA method, please contact our Client Service team.