Online Security FAQs

Firstrade is determined to ensure our customers receive the highest level of online security. Find the commonly asked questions and answers here.

	What is Firstrade doing to strengthen online security? What can I do to help enhance the security of my account? Someone has opened a Firstrade account using my identity without my authorization, what should I do? There seems to be unauthorized activity in my account, what should I do? What are spyware, trojans, and computer viruses, and how do I prevent them? Can I access my account from public computers? How can I spot phishing scams?

What is Firstrade doing to strengthen online security?
Firstrade maintains physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your nonpublic personal information. We protect your account information by placing it on the secure portion of our website. Our servers have been enabled with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to prevent unauthorized parties from viewing your nonpublic personal information that you provide or access during a secure session. In addition, we employ Entrust's digital certificate services to encrypt the information exchanged between you and Firstrade.com.

What can I do to help enhance the security of my account?
You can take steps to maximize your security online and to protect your confidential information. Change your password periodically and NEVER share it with anyone. You can change your Login Password at any time in the My Settings section under the My Account tab. When accessing the Firstrade website, you should always exit by using the "Logout" button or close your browser completely.

In addition, please make sure that your system is protected by installing the latest security updates from the provider of your operating system (Microsoft, Apple, Linux, etc). This will help prevent hackers from attacking your computer through known vulnerabilities of operating system software. You should also frequently scan your computer for viruses and spyware using anti-virus software, which can prevent hackers and scam artists from stealing your authentication information while you are using your machine. Firstrade provides all customers a complimentary 1 year subscription to Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware, for additional information regarding this offer, please visit our Online Security Center.

Someone has tried to open a Firstrade account using my identity without my authorization, what should I do?
Firstrade performs rigorous identity verification and credit checks for all account applications received. However, in an era of rampent identity theft, sometimes we receive applications that were submitted without the knowledge of the actual person. To prevent identity theft, please make sure that all of your personal information is secure, and that any sensitive documents such as bank statements, phone bills, utility bills are shredded before you discard them into the trash.

If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, please contact Firstrade immediately at service@firstrade.com. In addition, contact your other financial institutions and the 3 major credit reporting agencies and notify them of the situation, and they should be able to assist you correct the issue.

There seems to be unauthorized activity in my account, what should I do?
If you have spotted or suspect unauthorized activity in your Firstrade account, please contact us immediately by phone: 1-800-869-8800 or by email at service@firstrade.com. We will take the necessary actions right away to make sure that your assets and information are protected. Firstrade will then work with you to find out how your account was compromised, and suggest ways to prevent unauthorized access into your account in the future.

What are spyware, trojans, and computer viruses, and how do I prevent them?
Spyware is software that is installed on your computer without your explicit knowledge, usually secretly bundled with other unharmful software found on the internet. The spyware will secretly send data back to the origin of the spyware, including information such as the websites you browse, programs used, daily activities, etc. Spyware can also slow down your system considerably, since your computer is running programs behind the scene.

A computer virus is a program written with bad intentions, usually for financial incentives or to gain notoriety. A trojan horse, refered to as a trojan for short, is a type of virus embedded into your computer either through a security hole or bundled with other software. Like the historical Trojan Horse, this seemingly harmless program will gather your personal information by logging your activity and keystrokes, and send it back to the scammer discreetly. A trojan or spyware can potentially steal your login username/password and submit it back to the scammer.

The best way to prevent spyware and viruses is to use an up to date anti-virus software, as well as updating your operating system regularly to fix known security holes. Please take a look at the links on the right column for some of our favorite anti-virus software.

Can I access my account from public computers?
Public computers can offer convenient access to your Firstrade account when you are way from your personal computer, but can be potentially risky. Computers at libraries, internet cafes and airports might not have the latest anti-virus software or security updates, so your username and password might be compromised as a result. Be extra careful when using public computers, and when in doubt, ask the administrator of those machines about their anti-virus software and fraud prevention methods.

How can I spot phishing scams?
If you receive an email that links to what seems to be firstrade.com, before you enter your login credentials, make sure that the website URL says firstrade.com. Phishing is the terminology used to describe fake emails/websites created to look like official firstrade communication, when it is actually on a malicious server attempting to "fish" you for your login username and password (hence the term "phishing"). When in doubt, manually type in the URL: www.firstrade.com into your browser to be certain you are on the real Firstrade website. If you find emails or websites that are forged, please inform us by forwarding the email or information to service@firstrade.com.