Can't access bank account
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- Posts: 226
- Joined: August 3rd, 2006, 4:36 am
Can't access bank account
I changed nothing, but suddenly I have to go through the email/text verification to access my bank account through FF. My iPhone does not have this problem.
I called the bank and they said my browser was causing it. I would like to get FF back to where it was. I looked through the security section on FF but don't see anything obvious. What changed?
I called the bank and they said my browser was causing it. I would like to get FF back to where it was. I looked through the security section on FF but don't see anything obvious. What changed?
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- Posts: 5472
- Joined: May 13th, 2012, 10:43 am
Re: Can't access bank account
Are you using Private mode ? I always use Private for any banking, and it prompts for the email/text verification.
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Re: Can't access bank account
I don't know, it's been working fine for years and all of a sudden it needs the two step which I don't want.
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- Joined: September 18th, 2009, 3:01 pm
Re: Can't access bank account
Let me say this about that.
I have Linux OS's that have updates virtually every day.
If the kernel changes or FF is updated then it's new authentication time.
My bank, BOA, can see those changes on each system I use and will then require new authentication.
You can see an example at the bottom of each post here.
Or, in the final analysis, it's their system you are using, so you will comply.
I have Linux OS's that have updates virtually every day.
If the kernel changes or FF is updated then it's new authentication time.
My bank, BOA, can see those changes on each system I use and will then require new authentication.
You can see an example at the bottom of each post here.
Or, in the final analysis, it's their system you are using, so you will comply.
A proud user of Mozilla Python's Flying Circus software!
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- Posts: 5472
- Joined: May 13th, 2012, 10:43 am
Re: Can't access bank account
Clear your cookies and cache for the bank site. Click on the pad-lock in the URL bar, click 'clear cookies and site data' , Then try again.
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Re: Can't access bank account
Hmm, I should have thought of that, thanks.TheVisitor wrote:Clear your cookies and cache for the bank site. Click on the pad-lock in the URL bar, click 'clear cookies and site data' , Then try again.
I tried it, signed in, closed and reopened FF, tried to sign in again but it's still asking for the double check.
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- Posts: 250
- Joined: September 18th, 2009, 3:01 pm
Re: Can't access bank account
Here is an excellent arcticle to help you all understand.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Device_fingerprint
Whatever 'fingerprint' your computer presented at your last accepted sign-in is what the bank is looking for.
What the site looks at and accepts is up to them.
I know from experience and using NoScript that BOA, Amex, SS, VA, and many others, that they all differ as far as who is looking at what. But this scripting is not what BOA, as an example, is using for true authentication.
Look again at the basic information at the bottom of each post. This is a portion of your fingerprint along with your IP address. It has nothing to do with something as fleeting as cookies.
In fact BOA has taken it up a notch recently. Two factor+password+ATM password.
It's for your protection folks and takes less than a minute for me since my fingerprint changes about twice a month.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Device_fingerprint
Whatever 'fingerprint' your computer presented at your last accepted sign-in is what the bank is looking for.
What the site looks at and accepts is up to them.
I know from experience and using NoScript that BOA, Amex, SS, VA, and many others, that they all differ as far as who is looking at what. But this scripting is not what BOA, as an example, is using for true authentication.
Look again at the basic information at the bottom of each post. This is a portion of your fingerprint along with your IP address. It has nothing to do with something as fleeting as cookies.
In fact BOA has taken it up a notch recently. Two factor+password+ATM password.
It's for your protection folks and takes less than a minute for me since my fingerprint changes about twice a month.
A proud user of Mozilla Python's Flying Circus software!
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- Posts: 226
- Joined: August 3rd, 2006, 4:36 am
Re: Can't access bank account
I don't want to become a geek just so I can easily check my bank account. It worked great for years, then suddenly stopped. I called the bank and they said it was my browser so here I am, looking for answers. Somebody changed something, and it wasn't me.gdot179 wrote:Here is an excellent arcticle to help you all understand.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Device_fingerprint
Whatever 'fingerprint' your computer presented at your last accepted sign-in is what the bank is looking for.
What the site looks at and accepts is up to them.
I know from experience and using NoScript that BOA, Amex, SS, VA, and many others, that they all differ as far as who is looking at what. But this scripting is not what BOA, as an example, is using for true authentication.
Look again at the basic information at the bottom of each post. This is a portion of your fingerprint along with your IP address. It has nothing to do with something as fleeting as cookies.
In fact BOA has taken it up a notch recently. Two factor+password+ATM password.
It's for your protection folks and takes less than a minute for me since my fingerprint changes about twice a month.
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- Posts: 250
- Joined: September 18th, 2009, 3:01 pm
Re: Can't access bank account
There is no way your 'fingerprint' hasn't changed substantially over those years.It worked great for years
Even if you believe it hasn't, the bank can change their rules at any time for your security benefit.
There must be billions of geeks on the planet, including my 85 year old self, since we all have successfully dealt with 2 factor authentication as it has evolved.
I know you can do it!
A proud user of Mozilla Python's Flying Circus software!
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Re: Can't access bank account
gdot179 wrote:There is no way your 'fingerprint' hasn't changed substantially over those years.It worked great for years
I never said it didn't.
Even if you believe it hasn't, the bank can change their rules at any time for your security benefit.
Of course, but then why did they lie to me about it? They said it was my browser, that's why I'm here.
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- Posts: 250
- Joined: September 18th, 2009, 3:01 pm
Re: Can't access bank account
Then that is what they are looking at.They said it was my browser
Did you not read the Wiki Iink article?
They are not saying that FF has a problem. Some aspect of it that they looked at the last login has changed.
Have you not updated FF and now it presents, at the very least, a different version from your last successful authentication?
Of course in the back of our collective minds is the old IT standard response; "We have no idea what's going on so blame it on the browser".
OK, I'm done here.
I assume you are younger than me so if the elderly guy can do it, so can you.
A proud user of Mozilla Python's Flying Circus software!
- therube
- Posts: 21714
- Joined: March 10th, 2004, 9:59 pm
- Location: Maryland USA
Re: Can't access bank account
Has a name, I presume?my bank
Do you have some sort of "2 factor" (not that I know what that means) setting enabled - with the bank itself?signed in, closed and reopened FF, tried to sign in again but it's still asking for the double check
Sure what not. Blame the browser instead of providing actual support.I called the bank and they said it was my browser
Next they'll blame you (for having the gall to have an account with them).
Fire 750, bring back 250.
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.1; en-US; rv:1.9.1.19) Gecko/20110420 SeaMonkey/2.0.14 Pinball CopyURL+ FetchTextURL FlashGot NoScript
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.1; en-US; rv:1.9.1.19) Gecko/20110420 SeaMonkey/2.0.14 Pinball CopyURL+ FetchTextURL FlashGot NoScript
- jscher2000
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Re: Can't access bank account
Usually a token indicating that you satisfied 2FA is saved in a cookie.
So the #1 question is whether you, an add-on, or an external program are clearing the bank's cookies between visits.
If the cookie is still there but re-authentication is required, this might be caused by a change to your IP address if you are not on a stable IP. (Requiring an IP address match helps defend against stolen cookie attacks.) Back in the day, using "Auto-detect proxy settings for this network" could cause that issue; I suggest using "No proxy" unless you need to use a proxy server. On the Settings page, enter proxy into the tiny search box to filter down to the Network Settings button.
So the #1 question is whether you, an add-on, or an external program are clearing the bank's cookies between visits.
If the cookie is still there but re-authentication is required, this might be caused by a change to your IP address if you are not on a stable IP. (Requiring an IP address match helps defend against stolen cookie attacks.) Back in the day, using "Auto-detect proxy settings for this network" could cause that issue; I suggest using "No proxy" unless you need to use a proxy server. On the Settings page, enter proxy into the tiny search box to filter down to the Network Settings button.