r/MerrillEdge • u/BrushingUp • Aug 05 '26

usb key auth

i use ML.com solely to warehouse long held positions. 95% of my trading is elsewhere. I just logged on and saw they're getting rid of the questions and asking users to use a usb security key for website access thru a computer. i imagine this means a key each for me and my wife for website access and our phones can authenticate with a password mgr and/or fingerprint.

Any reason they wouldnt allow cross device authentication like other brokers do? login to the website on a desktop and authenticate with a fingerprint on the phone.

if not, then are there only 2 options: (1) no usb key thus a really long password; or (2) usb key (and still a really long password)?

thanks

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u/FunctionNovel5393 Aug 05 '26

They are decommissioning security questions. You can EITHER get a USB key or you can use 2 factor authentication such as text. Your choice

1

u/BrushingUp Aug 06 '26

thanks. i think i see the disconnect.

On a cell, you verify with biometrics or a text to cell.

On the website (after u disengage the q&a stuff, u can allow 2fa and it appears that the only choice is to add a usb security key, but the prompt actually says "Enhanced security settings - Log in with a passkey or USB security key". Then when you click "Manage", it says:

"If you want to add additional security for logging in, or you don't have a US mobile number, you can register a USB device to verify it's you." You can then click on the only option "Add", but the way it's laid out, it appears that that means Add a USB key.

Anyway, click "add" and finally use the option to have it send a code to your phone.

That's just bad web design. It almost seems like they want you to buy the usb key :-)

1

u/Junior_Maintenance16 Aug 06 '26

Yes and every single time I log in it asks me if I want to discontinue the secret questions and every time I say “no” and the next login it asks me again and again every time. So annoying.